Whether your goal is financial independence or financial security, setting up an online business in Bahrain can be a highly profitable venture for foreign investors. Bahrain is experiencing significant growth in the field of information technology solutions. Therefore, it has become crucial for businesses to embrace technologies like ERP software and accounting software to ensure optimal practices in the e-commerce sector.

According to The International Trade Administration, Bahrain stands out as the e-commerce leader among the GCC states. In 2020, the e-commerce market in Bahrain witnessed a remarkable 53% growth, reaching a record high of $3.9 billion in sales, constituting 10% of the total retail sales. These impressive figures are attributed to factors such as technological advancements and favorable economic policies. 

The impact of the global pandemic has also been pivotal in shaping Bahrain's digital industry, with online businesses flourishing. Bahrain boasts the largest online market in the Middle East, offering a thriving business environment, tax advantages, and access to thriving global markets. It is equipped with the necessary tools, including fast transactions, dynamic and emerging markets, and digital platforms. These tools facilitate your online business operations.

We will see how the e-commerce landscape is evolving and how IT companies like Emerald Softwares are adapting to support the e-commerce industry. He also provided valuable insights for retail companies looking to expand their presence in Bahrain. We've summarized his key points below and included six tips for scaling your e-commerce operations in the Bahrain.

Embrace Integration-Powered Warehousing Solutions

To ensure efficient order fulfillment, logistics companies are increasingly adopting inventory managementtechnology. The power of this technology is amplified when it seamlessly integrates with the e-commerce systems of their customers. Connecting e-commerce platforms with inventory management systems facilitates the centralization of orders. It certainly helps them match with the appropriate stock, and expedite their delivery.

Recognizing the growing demand for technologically savvy e-commerce logistics solutions, Emerald Softwares has enhanced its operations by implementing a warehouse management system with integrated technology. This system enables the company to provide retail customers with a seamless connection between its sales platforms, inventory, and carriers, all without incurring additional costs.

In the modern business landscape, providing top-notch Inventory solutions alone is insufficient. Seamless and cost-effective integration with customers' systems is essential.

Partner with a Backend Management Expert

Contemporary retail businesses are increasingly focused on opportunities that enable faster sales in the Middle East. As a result, many businesses are shifting their priorities toward online storefronts before considering physical brick-and-mortar setups. This trend is driving the demand for service providers capable of handling warehousing, fulfillment, and logistics.

In the near future, both businesses and customers will expect swift deliveries, ideally on the same day or the next day. Anything beyond these timelines may be considered unacceptable. To meet this demand, e-commerce enterprises will need to collaborate with companies like Emerald Softwares. Here, they offer one-stop-shop solutions for startups and larger organizations. Emerald Softwares specializes in CRM and ERP software solutions, provides IT support, offers VAT consultations, and resolves business setup issues in the Middle East. Their vision is to become a leading authority in IT solutions that encompass warehousing, retailing, and various other business solutions.

Collaborate with Value-Adding Partners

Establishing a significant presence in the competitive Middle East market can be challenging because of the multitude of retail businesses vying for attention. To distinguish your business and improve its performance, it is crucial to form partnerships with organizations that bring tangible value.

In the e-commerce industry, valuable partners have an extensive reach. They cover a wide geographic area, which should align with the retail businesses' market objectives. If your main goal is acquiring a specific region's market, partnering with a company with a broad network is crucial.

It's equally important to rely on professionals with specialized expertise. This way, entrepreneurs can focus on other business aspects. Warehousing, fulfillment, and logistics processes require significant investments and are complex operations. However, when combined with technology, as demonstrated by Emerald Softwares, they become more streamlined, leading to a seamless end-user experience.

Retailers should consider collaborating with logistics companies that have the capacity to deliver to all seven emirates daily, including remote areas. Additionally, evaluating whether these logistics providers offer cold chain storage capabilities for temperature-sensitive products is vital.

Working with logistics companies that provide actionable business insights based on accurate data is also advantageous. These insights may encompass metrics like successful deliveries, cash-on-delivery order completion rates, and return rates. Armed with this crucial information, businesses can make necessary process adjustments to enhance the overall customer experience.

Prepare for Quick Commerce

Quick commerce is currently thriving in the grocery sector and is poised to impact other industries, such as beauty and fashion, in the near future. Retail businesses looking to accommodate quick commerce need to evaluate the capabilities of their logistics partners. A widespread delivery network alone may not suffice; these partners should also possess advanced technology, including CRM software and ERP software, for real-time inventory tracking, automated order processing, and efficient communication with carriers. These measures help in managing the end-to-end experience and reducing the risk of delays.

Choose Prominent Online Marketplaces

The Bahrain's burgeoning online marketplace landscape provides a broad sales network for businesses. However, it's essential for businesses to make strategic choices regarding where they sell their products, as different e-commerce platforms may excel in terms of customer traffic, reach, and other critical factors.

The marketplace arena is becoming increasingly crowded, with numerous platforms emerging. Monitoring this development is crucial. In the long run, only a few robust marketplaces are likely to endure, making it advisable to keep a close eye on the existing online marketplaces and assess the value they offer.

Give Priority to Quality Logistics Services Over Price

While cost considerations are always relevant in business, they should not overshadow the value of high-quality services. Online consumers want outstanding shopping experiences. Retailers handle online interactions but depend on logistics providers. To meet consumer expectations, businesses should prioritize logistics services with specialized features. These features should match specific needs, like cold storage, temperature control, and automated product expiry management. Achieving this level of service can be facilitated by implementing robust ERP software.

Conclusion

Emerald Softwares has a decade of expertise in ERP software solutions. We have served over 13,000 clients with a 100% success rate. This makes us a leading IT service provider in the region. Our comprehensive offerings optimize costs for premium services. This creates a win-win situation for both parties. In short, it enables us to support our partners and earn their loyalty in various ways.