Saudi Arabia’s total point-of-sale (POS) transaction value remained above SR14.2 billion ($3.8 billion) in the week ending July 11, the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) reported, even as value fell 15.9 percent from the previous week. The total number of transactions eased 6.8 percent to 250.5 million, down from 268.8 million the week before.
Unlike earlier weeks, the latest figures showed a broad-based pullback: every sector tracked by SAMA registered lower transaction values. Hotels were the most resilient, slipping just 0.3 percent to SR306.2 million while transaction counts remained nearly unchanged. Construction and building materials declined 7 percent to SR411 million, and fuel station spending fell 9.4 percent to SR1.01 billion.
Education experienced the steepest drop, plunging 42.1 percent to SR122.3 million. Freight transport and courier services fell 34.1 percent to SR46.4 million. Other notable falls included jewelry, down 26.5 percent to SR421.4 million; telecommunications, down 26.3 percent to SR195 million; books and stationery, down 22.6 percent to SR105.8 million; and laundry services, down 22.4 percent to SR57.5 million.
Food and beverages remained the largest spending category despite a 19.8 percent decline to SR2.21 billion. Restaurants and cafes ranked second with a milder 8.5 percent drop to SR1.85 billion, while apparel, clothing and accessories were third, falling 19.1 percent to SR1.2 billion.
By city, Riyadh continued to account for the largest share of POS spending, though value there fell 14.2 percent to SR4.72 billion and transaction counts declined 6.1 percent to 78.7 million. Jeddah’s transaction value dropped 13.4 percent to SR2 billion. Among major cities, Dammam posted the steepest fall at 14.6 percent to SR677.7 million; Madinah declined 14.4 percent to SR569.7 million; and Makkah fell 12.1 percent to SR585.9 million.
SAMA
SAMA’s weekly POS data serve as a timely indicator of consumer spending patterns and the continued expansion of digital payments across Saudi Arabia. The figures also underscore growing POS coverage beyond major retail centers into smaller cities and service sectors, supporting wider digital inclusion. This trend aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals to boost electronic transactions and the Kingdom’s broader digital economy.
Related Topics:
Saudi Arabia’s Bank Credit Climbs 9.6%, Records SR3.335 Trillion
Saudi Arabia Enforces Stricter Power Bank Rules on Flights
SAMA Mandates 25 Banking Services to Empower Consumers
Check your ANKER Power Bank: Saudi Commerce Issues Recall for Fire Safety
