Amazon has officially launched Amazon Bazaar, a new standalone mobile application dedicated to low-cost shopping, rolling out across more than a dozen markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The new app is a strategic move to capture the fast-growing market segment dominated by ultra-fast-fashion and budget-friendly e-commerce platforms.
A Direct Challenge to Low-Cost E-Commerce Giants
With most products priced under $10 and some as low as $2, Amazon Bazaar is positioned as a direct competitor to Chinese e-commerce giants like Shein, Temu, and TikTok Shop. The launch signals Amazon’s intent to aggressively compete for younger consumers and shoppers with less disposable income who have flocked to these platforms for affordable fashion, home goods, and electronics.
The Bazaar app builds on the foundation of Amazon Haul, the company’s initial foray into this space which operates within the main Amazon website and app in markets like the U.S. and Europe. The creation of a separate, dedicated app for this inventory underscores Amazon’s commitment to scaling its low-cost retail operations.
Bazaar’s MENA Footprint
The initial launch of the standalone Bazaar app includes several key GCC markets: Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. This brings a new, focused shopping experience to the region, tailored for budget-conscious consumers.
The “Bazaar” brand is already familiar to some shoppers in the region, as Amazon had previously integrated it as a low-cost section within its main app in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This existing version will remain available, while the new standalone app expands Amazon’s low-price strategy across more of the Middle East.
App Features and Customer Experience
Amazon Bazaar aims to provide a seamless shopping experience by allowing customers to log in with their existing Amazon credentials. The app supports payments via Visa, Mastercard, and American Express and offers multilingual customer support.
Products available on the app include hundreds of thousands of items across fashion, home goods, and lifestyle categories, complete with familiar Amazon features like customer reviews and star ratings. Shipments are expected to take around two weeks, with free returns offered within 15 days of receipt. To further engage users, the app will incorporate interactive features like social lucky draws and promotions, a tactic popularized by its competitors.
About Amazon
Amazon is a multinational technology company focusing on e-commerce, cloud computing, online advertising, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. It has been referred to as “one of the most influential economic and cultural forces in the world” and is one of the world’s most valuable brands.
Source: TechCrunch
