RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s consumer spending rose 6.8 percent year on year to SR425 billion ($113.3 billion) in the first quarter of 2026, supported by resilient demand, stable inflation and continued non-oil economic growth, Knight Frank said.
The consultancy firm’s Saudi Arabia Retail Market Overview – Summer 2026 said the increase covered point-of-sale transactions, cash withdrawals and e-commerce purchases, building on the record SR1.57 trillion spent through official payment channels in 2025, according to a statement.
Knight Frank said the Kingdom’s retail and food and beverage sectors continued to benefit from a supportive economic backdrop, with Saudi Arabia’s economy expanding 3 percent in the first quarter of 2026, driven by 2.9 percent growth in non-oil activities.
Inflation remained contained at 1.8 percent, helping sustain consumer confidence despite heightened regional geopolitical tensions.
Spending resilient
