RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s point-of-sale spending remained above $3 billion in the week ending June 20, underscoring resilient consumer activity despite a broader slowdown across most sectors.
According to the latest data from the Saudi Central Bank, total POS transactions stood at SR12.4 billion ($3.3 billion), down 6.5 percent from the previous week. The total number of transactions fell 4.8 percent to 226.7 million from 238.2 million a week earlier.
Most sectors recorded declines during the period, with jewelry posting the steepest drop in transaction value, falling 22.7 percent to SR493.8 million. Public utilities and services fell 11.2 percent to SR47.9 million, while laundry services dropped 11.1 percent to SR45.5 million, and trade of vehicles and spare parts also declined 11.1 percent to SR493.1 million.
A handful of sectors bucked the trend. Hotels recorded the strongest growth, with spending rising 4.9 percent to SR197.4 million. Education spending increased 4.7 percent to SR220.8 million, while freight transport and courier services posted a modest 2.4 percent gain to SR44.5 million.
Food and beverages remained the largest POS spending category despite an 8 percent decline to SR1.94 billion. Restaurants and cafes ranked second, with spending falling 5.1 percent to SR1.55 billion. Professional and business services was one of the few major categories to record growth, rising 0.7 percent to SR765.7 million and ranking third by transaction value.
