Alocal company in Jeddah has introduced a virtual shopping service which is making life easier for people, especially those with special needs, who cannot move around easily to malls and shopping centers. Now, with just a click of a mouse on a computer, a person can order what he or she needs through the service and have it home delivered. The company claims this is the first such service in Jeddah and the Middle East. The company has trained a number of its employees to use a program, which displays 12,000 items sold in supermarkets, which can be ordered from home. People can also order while in their cars, with no need to enter the supermarket. Zyyad Al-Bassam, Deputy Chairman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) said, “The chamber supports all activities that use modern technology in the service of people with special needs.” Engineer Hassan Al-Zahrani, JCCI Secretary General, said the service will help this group to shop easily and avoid the inconveniences caused by traffic jams. Zyyad Al-Aloul, the managing director of the company which started the service, said customers have reacted positively, especially those people with disabilities, who have said this is making their lives easier. He said he has trained his staff to use an iPad to present a list of goods to special needs customers. Dr. Hamad Al-Hulais, a partner in the project, said the service currently covers all the districts in Jeddah. The great response will encourage them to cover areas across the Kingdom, he added.
