With online shopping across the Arab world booming, growing numbers of car rental users in Kuwait are expected to turn to the Internet for domestic and worldwide bookings.

Hertz Kuwait, which operates six car rental locations in the city, has just launched a new website along with a simplified version for mobile phone users.

The new site, www.hertz.com.kw, gives customers a quick and easy way to book rental vehicles at 8,500 locations worldwide, including Kuwait and other Middle East countries.

Those visiting the site between now and 21 August can also take advantage of Eid discounts of up to 15% when renting with Hertz in Kuwait, the Middle East region, Europe and USA.

Customers are directed to the award-winning main Hertz online platform, and can either prepay for their rentals in Kuwaiti dinars and save money at the same time, or pay when they pick up their vehicle.

Those on the move can do the same by connecting with mobile.hertz.com, a simplified website enabled for mobile phones.

“As e-retail becomes increasingly more accessible and popular among users in Kuwait and throughout the region, it is now a crucial time for us to be developing our online reach to speak to our customers directly,” said Cristiana Stefan, RAC Manager of Hertz Kuwait.

“This new platform encompasses the latest in technological developments so as to create an option that offers an easy and enjoyable booking solution for our customers.”

Underlining the growing trend in online shopping, a report by research firm Euromonitor International earlier this year said online sales in the Arab world are forecast to top US$2 billion (KWD 563 million) by 2016.

Hertz Kuwait’s six car rental locations include one at its headquarters in Shuwaikh and another at Kuwait International Airport.