RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s point-of-sale transactions climbed 13.4 percent in the week ending April 4 to SR14.7 billion ($3.9 billion), amid a sharp surge in education spending.
The number of transactions saw a weekly rise of 12.1 percent to 246.5 million, according to data from the Saudi Central Bank.
Education recorded the strongest growth, with outlays soaring 797.5 percent to SR296.5 million and transactions in the segment increasing 258 percent. This came as students went back to classrooms after the Eid Al-Fitr break.
Expenditure on medical services saw a rise of 69.4 percent to SR534.48 million, while spending on spare parts saw a 57.6 percent increase.
Outlays on pharmacies and medical supplies climbed 13.5 percent to SR247.57 million, while personal care expenditure rose 3.1 percent to SR137.97 million.
Consumer staples remained a key driver of overall volumes, with food and beverages spending rising 13.7 percent to SR2.45 billion. In contrast, restaurants and cafes declined 8.3 percent to SR1.82 billion.
The sharpest drop in spending was recorded in jewelry, which fell by 29.6 percent.
The Kingdom’s key urban centers mirrored the mostly positive trend.
Riyadh, which accounted for the largest share of total POS spending, saw a 19.6 percent surge to SR4.97 billion. The number of transactions in the capital reached 78 million, up 18.1 percent week-on-week.
In Jeddah, transaction values increased 10.2 percent to SR2 billion, while Dammam reported a 27.3 percent rise to SR752.84 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.
