However, Saudi husbands are unanimous in their belief that women spend a lot of their leisure time at the shops.
“I do not go to the malls only for amusement, but also for my children and home,” said Saeedah Al-Amri, a Saudi teacher.
She said she was keen to keep abreast of price trends and new products. “Women are usually better than men in choosing the best products and buying them at reasonable prices because they have more patience,” she added.
Al-Amri, however, admitted that some women would go to the markets simply because they are addicted to shopping.
“This shopping obsession is not only preventing families from saving money for emergencies, but may lead them to poverty in the long run,” she warned.
Nura Al-Rafie, a Saudi businesswoman, said cosmetics and makeup products top the list of goods wanted by women. “Every woman, whether working or staying at home, is very keen to look good,” she said.
Al-Rafie warned women not to make shopping a means of entertainment and pastime.
“Women should buy what they actually need. They should watch for seasonal sales to make purchases that will not drastically affect the incomes of their families,” she said.
Abdul Wahab Abu Dahish, an economy expert, said shopping addictions were not limited to Saudi women alone. “This is a common feature for women all over the world. It is in the very nature of every woman,” he said.
Abu Dahish said malls and supermarkets are designed in such a way that women have to pass by shops selling female-oriented products before reaching the restaurants or amusement places, which are usually built on the upper floors. “This is another way of attracting women shoppers,” he added.
The expert advised families to plan their purchases to avoid spending their money unnecessarily. “Families should plan their budgets so they have enough money for food, entertainment, medication, education and other necessities,” he said.
Abu Dahish asked Saudis to learn how to save like other families in developed countries.
He noted that withdrawals from ATMs amounted to more than SR50 billion last year, about 20 percent of the government’s budget, and claimed most of these funds were spent on unnecessary goods and services.
“This is an indication of the lack of a saving culture in our society,” he added.
Abu Dahish said Saudi Arabia is at the bottom of the list of countries where people have regular savings, adding that citizens did not save more than 14 percent of the national GDP.
Psychiatrist Dr. Abdullah Asiri said all shops are keen to display female-oriented products prominently because they are certain that women are the most important customers.
“A woman usually tries to look better than other women, especially her neighbors and relatives. This is why sometimes she may buy things that they do not need just to look better,” he said.
He said shopping, going to restaurants and attending wedding parties are the main recreation activities for Saudi women.
“We should involve women in social and cultural programs to help them reduce their shopping tendencies,” he said.