Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Point-of-sale (POS) transactions in Saudi Arabia surged during the week of December 28, 2025, to January 3, 2026, reaching 255.361 million transactions with a total value of SR17.016 billion. This represents a significant increase from the SR13.028 billion recorded the previous week, according to data released by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). The growth in POS transactions signals continued economic activity and consumer spending within the Kingdom.
The increase was observed across various sectors, with substantial activity in transport, healthcare, and food services. These figures provide a snapshot of consumer behavior during the holiday period and the immediate aftermath, offering insights into economic trends. The data covers transactions across all regions of Saudi Arabia, highlighting both national and regional spending patterns.
Growth in Saudi Arabia’s POS Transactions
The substantial rise in POS transactions is likely attributable to a combination of factors, including seasonal spending, end-of-year sales, and ongoing economic diversification initiatives within Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan. The Kingdom has been actively promoting digital payment methods, which may also contribute to the increased volume of transactions. Additionally, government initiatives aimed at boosting domestic tourism could be playing a role.
Sectoral Breakdown
The transport sector led in transaction volume with 7.092 million transactions totaling SR1.216 billion. Healthcare followed closely with 10.925 million transactions valued at SR992.5 million. Restaurants and cafés also demonstrated strong performance, recording 60.568 million transactions worth SR1.902 billion.
Meanwhile, spending on non-essential goods also saw increases. Jewelry sales, while representing a smaller volume of transactions (381,000), had a relatively high value at SR544.1 million. Electronics and electrical appliances recorded 2.092 million transactions valued at SR232.1 million, indicating continued consumer demand for these items.
Regional Spending Patterns
Riyadh accounted for the largest share of POS activity, with 79.619 million transactions valued at SR5.613 billion. Jeddah followed with 29.683 million transactions worth SR2.236 billion. The Eastern Province also showed significant activity, with Dammam logging 10.356 million transactions valued at SR831.9 million and Al Khobar recording 5.241 million transactions worth SR467.5 million.
Other key cities like Makkah (10.357 million transactions, SR755.2 million) and Madinah (10.153 million transactions, SR720.4 million) also experienced substantial activity, likely influenced by religious tourism. Smaller cities like Tabuk, Hail, and Abha also contributed to the overall increase in digital payments, demonstrating a broader trend of increased financial activity across the Kingdom.
Implications for Saudi Arabia’s Economy
The sustained growth in POS transactions is a positive indicator for Saudi Arabia’s economic health. Increased consumer spending suggests confidence in the economy and a willingness to invest in goods and services. This data is closely watched by economists and policymakers as a key metric of economic performance. The rise in consumer spending also supports businesses and contributes to job creation.
The increasing adoption of digital payment methods, as reflected in the POS data, aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to modernize its financial infrastructure and reduce reliance on cash. This transition is expected to improve efficiency, transparency, and security in financial transactions. The government’s push for a cashless society is gaining momentum, and these figures demonstrate tangible progress.
Looking ahead, the Saudi Central Bank is expected to continue releasing weekly POS bulletins, providing ongoing insights into consumer spending trends. Analysts will be monitoring future reports to assess whether the current growth trajectory is sustainable and to identify any emerging patterns or shifts in consumer behavior. Further analysis will be needed to determine the long-term impact of these trends on Saudi Arabia’s overall economic development and the success of Vision 2030 initiatives. The next report, covering the period of January 4-10, 2026, will be closely scrutinized for continued growth in payment systems.
