Total consumer expenditure in Saudi Arabia witnessed a significant rise on a weekly basis, as the value of POS transactions saw a 33 per cent surge to hit SR16.3 billion ($4.35 billion) in the week ended August 1, as per the latest data provided by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA). The growth in value was seen amid an 18.1 per cent rise in the volume of transactions, which stood at 267.1 million for the week.
The rise in the value and volume of transactions indicates ongoing growth in domestic consumption and increasing digitalisation, which are crucial components of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan. Nearly every sector monitored by SAMA posted gains, led by education, freight transport and telecommunications.
Education registered the strongest weekly growth, with spending soaring 69.9 per cent to SR177.8 million, while transaction volumes in the category rose 15.4 per cent, indicating a higher average value per purchase. Freight transport and postal and courier services followed with a 65.5 per cent increase to SR73.9 million, while spending on laundry services climbed 53.8 per cent to SR70.4 million. Telecommunications expenditure also recorded robust growth, rising 53.1 per cent to SR246.2 million. Pharmacies and medical supplies advanced 46.6 percent to SR275.7 million, while apparel and accessories spending increased 46.1 per cent to SR1.41 billion.
Food and beverages remained the kingdom’s largest spending category, expanding 40.8 per cent to SR2.69 billion. Restaurants and cafés ranked second with SR2.04 billion, up 24.4 per cent, while transportation spending rose 31.6 percent to SR1.26 billion. By contrast, construction and building materials recorded the smallest increase at 12.5 per cent, and airline-related spending grew a comparatively modest 9.3 per per cent.
Riyadh continued to account for the largest share of POS spending, with transactions increasing 25.8 per cent to SR5.23 billion. Jeddah recorded a 26 per cent rise to SR2.18 billion, while Dammam, Madinah and Makkah also posted notable gains. Among smaller cities, Ahad Al-Masarha led the weekly growth with a 91 per cent increase, followed by Tabarjal and Al-Laith.
The latest figures underline the continued expansion of digital payment adoption across Saudi Arabia, with rising consumer activity extending beyond major metropolitan areas into smaller cities, reinforcing the Kingdom’s push toward a more cashless and digitally connected economy.
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