Food & Beverage Spending Leads at SAR 2.29 Billion

Spending on food and beverages led consumer purchases across Saudi Arabia in the week ending 10 October 2026, reaching SAR 2.29 billion and claiming the largest share of point-of-sale activity.

Total point-of-sale spending stood at SAR 13.52 billion during the same week, Both measures recorded declines compared with the previous week.

Food and beverage purchases fell 22.9% week on week, while overall point-of-sale spending dropped 18.1% over the same period. Despite the decrease, the food and beverage category remained the top destination for consumer spending.

Why it matters

The weekly point-of-sale data offers a timely snapshot of how residents and expats are spending across the Kingdom, covering card and electronic payments at shops, restaurants and service outlets. Shifts in these numbers often reflect seasonal patterns, timing of paydays, and changes in day-to-day household budgets.

For the community in Riyadh, Jeddah and beyond, food and beverage spending consistently ranking first underlines the central role of groceries and dining in weekly budgets. The figures are published on a weekly basis by the Saudi Central Bank and cover electronic point-of-sale transactions nationwide.

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