RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s total point-of-sale transactions reached SR16.9 billion ($4.5 billion) in the week ending July 4, a 34.3 percent jump from the previous week.
According to the latest data from the Saudi Central Bank, the total number of transactions climbed 19.8 percent to 268.8 million during the seven-day period, compared to 224.3 million the week before.
The rebound was broad-based, with every major sector posting gains.
Freight transport, postal and courier services led the pack, surging 68.4 percent to SR70.3 million, while laundry services jumped 60.8 percent to SR74.1 million.
Auto and equipment rentals rose 52.9 percent to SR82 million, and telecommunication spending climbed 47.1 percent to SR264.4 million.
Education spending inched up just 3.5 percent to SR211.1 million, the smallest increase of any sector, while construction and building materials rose 18 percent to SR441.7 million.
Jewelry spending increased 20.1 percent to SR573.5 million, and gas stations rose 22 percent to SR1.1 billion.
Food and beverages retained the largest share of POS spending, climbing 39.8 percent to SR2.76 billion. Restaurants and cafes held the second-largest share, up 27.9 percent to SR2.02 billion. Apparel, clothing and accessories rose 45.6 percent to SR1.49 billion, taking third place.
Riyadh, which accounted for the largest share of total POS spending, saw transaction value rise 22.3 percent to SR5.5 billion, with the number of transactions up 14.5 percent to 83.8 million.
Jeddah recorded a 31.8 percent increase in transaction value to SR2.31 billion, while Makkah posted the steepest rise among major cities, up 40.9 percent to SR666.9 million. Dammam rose 25.6 percent to SR793.2 million, and Madinah climbed 43.1 percent to SR665.8 million.
POS data, tracked weekly by SAMA, provides an indicator of consumer spending trends and the ongoing growth of digital payments in the Kingdom. 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.
