The most relevant practical implications of this paper are probably those which can be drawn from the responses of Saudi businesses which already have experience making online sales to Saudi customers. According to them, the most serious inhibitors are unfavourable Saudi consumer habits, lack of government regulations, and lack of online payment options. Retailers with previous online sale experience also provide clear and practical indications as to the top enabling factors. These are developing online payment options, enhancing ICT infrastructure and government regulations and support. Therefore, the government and the industry should pay attentions to these factors to facilitate e-retail growth in the country. The critical question, then, becomes whether there are valid justifications for the government to take such an interventionist role in normal commerce, as opposed to the cases of e-government and e-learning which involve public services or “social” goods. Such a question must be left to future research.