Saudi POS Spending Holds Above $3.5bn After School Rush

Saudi consumer spending stayed strong in the second week of September, with point-of-sale transactions reaching SAR 13.79 billion (about $3.68 billion) in the week ending September 12, 2026, even as the back-to-school shopping wave began to fade.

The weekly total slipped 12.9% compared with the previous week, a decline driven largely by the easing of education-related purchases now that most families have completed their school preparations. The number of transactions also fell 4.8% to 254.91 million.

The pullback follows an earlier surge in classroom and study spending. Education-related purchases had climbed to SAR 1.04 billion in the week ending August 22, 2026 — a jump of 133.9% week on week — before cooling to SAR 755.97 million in the week ending September 5, down 31%.

Why it matters

Despite the seasonal slowdown, keeping weekly spending above the SAR 13 billion mark points to steady household demand across the Kingdom. For residents and expats in Riyadh, Jeddah, and beyond, it reflects a consumer market that continues to move even after the busy shopping periods pass.

Point-of-sale data offers a timely snapshot of everyday economic activity, capturing purchases at shops, restaurants, and service outlets nationwide. The figures suggest families are managing their budgets while maintaining regular spending on essentials and daily needs.

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