Consumer spending in Saudi Arabia strengthened in the final week of August, with weekly point-of-sale (POS) transactions across the Kingdom reaching about SR15.8 billion during the period from 23 to 29 August 2026. The total marks a clear rise from the previous week, reflecting continued momentum in electronic payments nationwide.
Transactions during the week were valued at SR15,799,402,000, up by roughly SR1.63 billion compared with SR14,173,199,000 recorded in the week of 16–22 August 2026. The number of transactions also increased, reaching 255,384,000 for the latest week versus 237,347,000 in the previous one.
The figures cover electronic POS payments across all business activities and cities in the Kingdom, reported in Saudi riyals on a weekly basis. The data captures both the value and the volume of transactions, offering a snapshot of how residents and shoppers are spending at retail outlets, restaurants, and other merchants.
Why it matters
Weekly POS data is a useful indicator of consumer activity and the pace of the shift toward cashless payments in Saudi Arabia. A steady rise in both the value and the number of transactions suggests robust demand and growing reliance on card and digital payments in everyday purchases.
For residents and expats, the trend underscores the widespread availability of electronic payment options at merchants across cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. The bulletin also provides breakdowns by city and spending category, giving a detailed view of where and how spending is concentrated across the Kingdom.
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