Saudi Retail Trade Revenue Index Up 3.2% in Q2 2026
Saudi Arabia's wholesale and retail trade sector recorded a 3.2 percent year-on-year rise in its operating revenue index during the second quarter of 2026, reflecting continued momentum in one of the country's key non-oil private sector activities.
The general operating revenue index for wholesale and retail trade reached 124.0 points in Q2 2026, measured against a base year of 2023 set at 100 points. That marks an increase from 120.2 points recorded in the same quarter a year earlier. On a quarterly basis, however, the index eased 0.6 percent compared with the first quarter of 2026.
Retail trade, excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles, led the gains with its index climbing to 130.5 points, up 5.2 percent from a year earlier. Wholesale trade, excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles, posted a more modest rise, reaching 122.7 points for a 0.8 percent annual increase.
Why it matters
The sector is classified as a non-oil private sector activity in the short-term operating revenues statistics, meaning its performance feeds directly into the non-oil growth figures tracked nationally. For residents and businesses in the Kingdom, steady growth in trade revenues points to healthy consumer and commercial activity across shops, markets and wholesalers.
It is worth noting that the reported figures are statistical indices only. There are no fixed Saudi Riyal fees, administered prices, or government procedures attached to the operating revenue index — it serves purely as an economic indicator and does not signal any change to licensing prices or fee schedules.
In a related monthly reading, the operating revenues index for wholesale and retail trade, including repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, stood at 125.2 points in May 2026, placing the activity among the higher-indexed sectors alongside utilities and arts and entertainment.
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