Qatar property transactions reach $177m in late December 

Data from Qatar’s Ministry of Justice showed that trading across Doha and other municipalities remained elevated, with residential unit sales recorded at 49.4 million riyals during the period, according to the Real Estate Registration Department. Shutterstock
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Updated 01 January 2026
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Qatar property transactions reach $177m in late December 

JEDDAH: Qatar’s real estate transactions exceeded 657 million Qatari riyals ($177.4 million) in the week ended Dec. 25, underscoring steady property market activity. 

Data from Qatar’s Ministry of Justice showed that trading across Doha and other municipalities remained elevated, with residential unit sales recorded at 49.4 million riyals during the period, according to the Real Estate Registration Department. 

The figure marks a sharp increase from the previous week, when total real estate transactions reached about 463 million riyals. That earlier period included sales contracts worth 354.26 million riyals and residential unit transactions totaling 108.76 million riyals, the Qatar News Agency reported. 

Qatar’s weekly trading mirrors broader activity across the Gulf region, where major markets such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi have reported strong sales and stable prices, supported by robust residential and commercial demand. 

The weekly activity highlighted sustained investor confidence, reflecting the broader Gulf-wide trend in real estate heading into 2026. 

“The weekly bulletin issued by the department stated that the properties traded included vacant land, houses, residential buildings, residential complexes, commercial shops, commercial and residential buildings, a commercial and administrative building, and residential units,” the QNA report stated.  

Qatar property sales were concentrated in the municipalities of Al-Rayyan, Doha, Al-Wakrah, and Umm Slal, in addition to Al-Daayen, Al Khor, as well as Al Thakhira, and Al-Shamal. They also included key areas including The Pearl Island, and Al-Kharayej, along with Lusail 69, Al-Wukair, Ghar Thuaileb, and Al-Sakhama municipalities. 

The figures highlight sustained activity in Qatar’s real estate market, with a notable week-on-week increase in trading volumes as the year draws to a close. 

The weekly data align with a stronger performance earlier in the year. Qatar’s real estate sector showed resilience in the first half of 2025, supported by rising residential activity, steady office demand and growth in hospitality and retail, according to a September report by Knight Frank. 

Residential transaction values reached 9.23 billion riyals in the second quarter, up 114 percent year on year, led by Doha, Al Daayen and Al Wakrah. Apartment prices rose 3.5 percent to an average of 13,270 riyals per square meter, while villa prices edged lower. Land sales jumped 85 percent, and prime office rents in Lusail held steady at about 115 riyals per square meter. 

Qatar added 718 hotel rooms during the period, while retail assets maintained high occupancy levels, pointing to continued confidence among investors and consumers. 


Saudi POS spending opens 2026 with a 31% surge: SAMA 

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Saudi POS spending opens 2026 with a 31% surge: SAMA 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s total point-of-sale transactions reached SR17 billion ($4.5 billion) in the week ending Jan. 3, with all sectors recording positive weekly growth. 

According to the latest data from the Saudi Central Bank, the total POS value represented a 30.6 percent week-on-week increase, while the number of transactions rose 15.7 percent to 255.36 million. 

Spending on freight transport, postal and courier services recorded the sharpest increase, surging 110.9 percent to SR74.22 million, followed by education, which rose 66.4 percent to SR235.51 million. 

Expenditure on personal care increased by 31.7 percent, while spending on books and stationery rose 36 percent. Jewelry outlays climbed 48 percent to SR544.12 million. 

Further gains were recorded across other categories. Spending at pharmacies on medical supplies rose 42.1 percent to SR284.81 million, while expenditure on medical services increased 20.8 percent to SR556.27 million. 

The food and beverages sector saw outlays rise 41.4 percent to SR2.7 billion, accounting for the largest share of POS transactions.

Restaurants and cafes followed with a 20.9 percent increase to SR1.9 billion, while apparel and clothing spending rose 30 percent to SR1.6 billion, ranking third. 

Together, the top three categories accounted for approximately 36.53 percent of total POS spending, or SR6.22 billion. 

Saudi Arabia’s major urban centers mirrored the national surge.

Riyadh, which accounted for the largest share of POS spending, saw a 21 percent increase to SR5.61 billion, up from SR4.63 billion the previous week.

The number of transactions in the capital rose 12.2 percent to 79.6 million. 

In Jeddah, transaction values increased 25.6 percent to SR2.24 billion, while Dammam posted a 26.1 percent rise to SR831.93 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.