Saudi POS Spending Holds Above SAR12.6bn Despite Dip

Consumer spending across Saudi Arabia remained strong during the week of 11–17 October 2026, with point-of-sale transactions reaching SAR12.60 billion, equivalent to around USD3.36 billion, despite a notable weekly decline.

Total spending fell 6.8% compared with the previous week's SAR13.53 billion, while the number of transactions dropped 2.7% to 246.42 million. The pullback was spread across several sectors, including education, food, and travel.

The sharpest fall was in education, where spending plunged 50.9% to SAR83.46 million, with transaction volumes down 24.2%. Food and beverage spending came in at approximately SAR2.22 billion, a decline of 3.3% week on week.

Restaurants remain a leading category

Restaurants and cafés continued to account for a significant share of consumer activity, recording roughly SAR1.65 billion, or 13.1% of total spending for the week. This reflects the central role of dining and social spending in everyday life across the Kingdom.

For residents and expats in Riyadh, Jeddah, and other cities, the figures offer a useful snapshot of shifting spending patterns. While education outlays typically ease after peak enrolment periods, steady activity in dining and daily retail points to continued consumer confidence. The weekly data, based on point-of-sale transactions nationwide, remains a closely watched indicator of economic momentum in the Kingdom.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving