RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s point-of-sale transaction value remained above $3.5 billion in the week ending May 16, with several sectors recording gains even as overall spending edged down from the previous week.
According to the latest data from the Saudi Central Bank, total transaction value reached SR13.7 billion ($3.65 billion), while the number of transactions stood at 249.8 million.
Freight transport and courier services led the sectoral gainers, rising 5.6 percent in value to SR67.6 million. Apparel and clothing edged up 1.9 percent to SR1.22 billion, while trade of vehicles and spare parts increased 2.3 percent to SR533.2 million.
Food and beverages remained the largest spending category despite a 5.4 percent decline to SR2.14 billion. Restaurants and cafes followed with a 2.2 percent decrease to SR1.73 billion.
Education spending recorded the steepest sectoral decline, falling 22 percent in value to SR164.1 million. Hotel spending slipped 4.8 percent to SR177 million, while furniture and home supplies fell 10 percent to SR528.2 million.
Makkah also stood out among major cities, posting a 3.8 percent rise in transaction value to SR459.9 million, with the number of transactions climbing 7.2 percent.
Riyadh, which accounted for the largest share of total POS spending, saw transaction values decline 4 percent to SR4.87 billion. The number of transactions in the capital reached 81.4 million, down 1.1 percent week on week.
In Jeddah, transaction values decreased 3.1 percent to SR1.87 billion, while Dammam reported a 5.1 percent decline to SR704.8 million.
POS data, tracked weekly by SAMA, provides an indicator of consumer spending trends and the ongoing growth of digital payments in Saudi Arabia.
The data also highlights the expanding reach of POS infrastructure, extending beyond major retail hubs to smaller cities and service sectors, supporting broader digital inclusion initiatives.
The growth of digital payment technologies aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, promoting electronic transactions and contributing to the Kingdom’s broader digital economy.
