Results of the Ministry of Commerce's evaluation of car dealerships and stores 2024
In a move aimed at enhancing transparency and improving the quality of services provided to consumers in Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Commerce officially announced the results of the second phase of its comprehensive program to evaluate car dealerships, electrical and electronic appliance distributors, and online retailers. This initiative is part of the Ministry's ongoing strategy to regulate markets and empower consumers with accurate and reliable data to help them make informed purchasing decisions.
Context of the initiative and its economic importance
These assessments are particularly important given the rapid growth of the retail and e-commerce sectors in the Kingdom. Since launching the first phase, the Ministry has strived to create a fair competitive environment based on quality standards and compliance with regulations, rather than solely on price competition. This approach is an integral part of consumer protection efforts, as these indicators contribute to reducing commercial disputes and ensuring after-sales rights, which positively impacts public confidence in the local market and attracts quality investments that adhere to international standards.
Details of the automotive sector assessment
This phase involved evaluating 24 car dealerships in the Kingdom, who were assessed based on 16 precise standard indicators. The Ministry focused intensively on issues directly impacting consumer needs, most notably:
- The extent of availability of the most in-demand cars on the market.
- Transparency of waiting lists and booking mechanisms.
- Quality of after-sales service and availability of spare parts.
- Fast response to maintenance reports and commitment to consumer rights.
The focus on inventory and waiting lists comes in response to global challenges in supply chains, to ensure that the local consumer is not harmed and to ensure clarity regarding the dates provided by agents.
Devices and e-commerce sector
Regarding the electrical and electronic appliances sector, 18 agents and distributors evaluated across 11 key criteria, which focused primarily on warranty and maintenance services, and compliance levels for handling customer complaints, thus enhancing competitiveness to provide the best user experience.
In the realm of digital commerce, the assessment encompassed 220 online stores, evaluating them according to 10 rigorous professional standards. The Ministry emphasized the necessity of documentation on the Saudi Business Center platform, along with clear return and exchange policies, shipping and delivery mechanisms, and accessible communication channels. These standards aim to regulate the rapidly expanding digital market and protect it from deceptive practices.
Transparency and community engagement
The Ministry emphasized that these standards were not developed unilaterally, but rather in partnership with consumers and the private sector to ensure they address real-world challenges. The Ministry continues to publish these results periodically to uphold transparency, allowing all stakeholders to access detailed findings and precise indicators through the dedicated official website (mc.gov.sa/er). This places a direct responsibility on companies to improve their performance and maintain their commercial reputation.
