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Retail in Saudi Arabia

March 2023
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Overview:

Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Retailing industry in Saudi Arabia with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.

Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.

Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to the following key categories, where applicable:

  • Convenience Stores
  • Discounters
  • Hypermarkets
  • Supermarkets
  • Traditional Grocery Retailers
  • Apparel and Footwear Specialist Retailers
  • Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers
  • Health and Beauty Specialist Retailers
  • Home and Garden Specialist Retailers
  • Department Stores
  • Variety Stores
  • Warehouse Clubs
  • Direct Selling
  • Homeshopping
  • Vending

If you're in the Retailing industry in Saudi Arabia, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.

The Retailing in Saudi Arabia report includes:

  • Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
  • Detailed segmentation of international and local products
  • Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
  • Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
  • Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country

This report answers:

  • What is the market size of Retailing in Saudi Arabia?
  • Which are the leading retailers in Retailing in Saudi Arabia?
  • How are products distributed in Retailing in Saudi Arabia?
  • How is the rise of e-commerce and the expansion of modern grocery retail impacting traditional retail?
  • How significant are discounters and private label in Saudi Arabia?
  • How has the impact of COVID-19 and national lockdown impacted consumer demand?
  • Which formats have benefited the most from stockpiling and enforced home seclusion?
  • How will the wider economic impact of COVID-19 shape the retail landscape in the future?
  • Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
Download Table of Contents

Retail in Saudi Arabia

Retail in 2022: The big picture
Inflation affects consumer behaviour
E-commerce boom
What next for retail?
Informal retail
Opening hours for physical retail
Summary 1 Standard Opening Hours by Channel Type 2022
Seasonality
Ramadan and Eid-al Fitr
National day
Back to school
White Friday
Table 1 Sales in Retail by Retail Offline vs Retail E-Commerce: Value 2017-2022
Table 2 Sales in Retail by Retail Offline vs Retail E-Commerce: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 3 Sales in Retail Offline by Channel: Value 2017-2022
Table 4 Sales in Retail Offline by Channel: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 5 Retail Offline Outlets by Channel: Units 2017-2022
Table 6 Retail Offline Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2017-2022
Table 7 Sales in Retail E-Commerce by Product: Value 2017-2022
Table 8 Sales in Retail E-Commerce by Product: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 9 Grocery Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 10 Grocery Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 11 Sales in Grocery Retailers by Channel: Value 2017-2022
Table 12 Sales in Grocery Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 13 Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: Units 2017-2022
Table 14 Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2017-2022
Table 15 Non-Grocery Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 16 Non-Grocery Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 17 Sales in Non-Grocery Retailers by Channel: Value 2017-2022
Table 18 Sales in Non-Grocery Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 19 Non-Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: Units 2017-2022
Table 20 Non-Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2017-2022
Table 21 Retail GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 22 Retail GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 23 Retail Offline GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 24 Retail Offline GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 25 Retail Offline LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 26 Retail E-Commerce GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 27 Retail E-Commerce GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 28 Grocery Retailers GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 29 Grocery Retailers GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 30 Grocery Retailers LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 31 Non-Grocery Retailers GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 32 Non-Grocery Retailers GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 33 Non-Grocery Retailers LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 34 Forecast Sales in Retail by Retail Offline vs Retail E-Commerce: Value 2022-2027
Table 35 Forecast Sales in Retail by Retail Offline vs Retail E-Commerce: % Value Growth 2022-2027
Table 36 Forecast Sales in Retail Offline by Channel: Value 2022-2027
Table 37 Forecast Sales in Retail Offline by Channel: % Value Growth 2022-2027
Table 38 Forecast Retail Offline Outlets by Channel: Units 2022-2027
Table 39 Forecast Retail Offline Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2022-2027
Table 40 Forecast Sales in Retail E-Commerce by Product: Value 2022-2027
Table 41 Forecast Sales in Retail E-Commerce by Product: % Value Growth 2022-2027
Table 42 Grocery Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 43 Grocery Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027
Table 44 Forecast Sales in Grocery Retailers by Channel: Value 2022-2027
Table 45 Forecast Sales in Grocery Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2022-2027
Table 46 Forecast Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: Units 2022-2027
Table 47 Forecast Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2022-2027
Table 48 Non-Grocery Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 49 Non-Grocery Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027
Table 50 Forecast Sales in Non-Grocery Retailers by Channel: Value 2022-2027
Table 51 Forecast Sales in Non-Grocery Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2022-2027
Table 52 Forecast Non-Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: Units 2022-2027
Table 53 Forecast Non-Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2022-2027

DISCLAIMER

Summary 2 Research Sources

Convenience Retailers in Saudi Arabia

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Growth supported by Saudis returning to their busy pre-pandemic lifestyles
Price increases put a dampener on growth while some consumers continue to use delivery apps
Location is key as new Danube Express outlets open in Jeddah and Makkah
Partnerships with delivery applications could support the growth of convenience stores
Further expansion predicted as demand grows
More dependence on local suppliers
Table 54 Convenience Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 55 Convenience Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 56 Sales in Convenience Retailers by Channel: Value 2017-2022
Table 57 Sales in Convenience Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 58 Convenience Retailers GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 59 Convenience Retailers GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 60 Convenience Retailers LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 61 Convenience Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 62 Convenience Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027
Table 63 Forecast Sales in Convenience Retailers by Channel: Value 2022-2027
Table 64 Forecast Sales in Convenience Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2022-2027

Supermarkets in Saudi Arabia

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Return of religious pilgrims and tourists helps offset the impact of inflation
Supermarkets face strong competition from e-commerce and other channels
Al Othaim remains the leader with further outlet openings seen in 2022
Discounters create a potential threat but q-commerce presents new opportunities
More supermarkets are expected to open as Saudi Arabia looks to increase the number of visitors to the Kingdom
Supermarkets will need to invest in modernising their stores and offering additional products and services
Table 65 Supermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 66 Supermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 67 Supermarkets GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 68 Supermarkets GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 69 Supermarkets LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 70 Supermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 71 Supermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027

Hypermarkets in Saudi Arabia

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Hypermarkets sees declining sales as consumer shopping behaviour shifts in response to the lifting of COVID-19 measures
Competition intensifying as leading players invest in opening new outlets
Strong competition pushes hypermarkets to introduce discounts and promotions
Leading operators eye expansion and development plans
Hypermarkets set to see more investment in digitisation as consumers increasingly shift online
Focus shifting to local products as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy
Table 72 Hypermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 73 Hypermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 74 Hypermarkets GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 75 Hypermarkets GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 76 Hypermarkets LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 77 Hypermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 78 Hypermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027

Discounters in Saudi Arabia

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Discounters sees a steep decline in sales as Al Dukan closes stores in 2022
Discounters facing strong competition
Al Dukan retains a monopoly in the discounters channel
Competition with hypermarkets remains a potential threat to growth
Potential expansion into areas outside urban centres
New players expected to enter the market
Table 79 Discounters: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 80 Discounters: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 81 Discounters GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 82 Discounters GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 83 Discounters LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 84 Discounters Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 85 Discounters Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027

Small Local Grocers in Saudi Arabia

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Lifting of COVID-19 restrictions boosts sales through small local grocers in 2022
Modern grocery retailers and e-commerce present a significant threat as consumers go in search of value and convenience
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy puts pressure on some traders
Strong competition from other channels likely to undermine the growth of small local grocers
Small local grocers expected to increasingly focus on the use of local suppliers
Modernisation programmes represent a potential threat to future sales
Table 86 Small Local Grocers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 87 Small Local Grocers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 88 Small Local Grocers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 89 Small Local Grocers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027

General Merchandise Stores in Saudi Arabia

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Buy Now Pay Later services receive growing interest with RedTag and Centrepoint benefiting from their value positioning
Tourism and entertainment seasons supports growth while variety stores benefit from strong value positioning
Social media fuelling and informing market demand
General merchandise stores likely to face strong competition from e-commerce
Tourism should support the growth of department stores
New outlets and new technology
Table 90 General Merchandise Stores: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 91 General Merchandise Stores: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 92 Sales in General Merchandise Stores by Channel: Value 2017-2022
Table 93 Sales in General Merchandise Stores by Channel: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 94 General Merchandise Stores GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 95 General Merchandise Stores GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 96 General Merchandise Stores LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 97 General Merchandise Stores Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 98 General Merchandise Stores Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027
Table 99 Forecast Sales in General Merchandise Stores by Channel: Value 2022-2027
Table 100 Forecast Sales in General Merchandise Stores by Channel: % Value Growth 2022-2027

Apparel and Footwear Specialists in Saudi Arabia

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Only the strong companies remained
Tourism supports growth
Buy Now Pay Later services support spending
A bright outlook for apparel and footwear specialists with new store openings on the horizon
Local brands could receive support
E-commerce expected to play a key role in the growth of apparel and footwear
Table 101 Apparel and Footwear Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 102 Apparel and Footwear Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 103 Apparel and Footwear Specialists GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 104 Apparel and Footwear Specialists GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 105 Apparel and Footwear Specialists LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 106 Apparel and Footwear Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 107 Apparel and Footwear Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027

Appliances and Electronics Specialists in Saudi Arabia

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Appliances and electronics specialists see strong performance in 2022
Tourism and entertainment seasons supports growth
BNPL provides a new means of payment but competition from e-commerce grows
Increasing number of residential properties and units will fuel sales
E-commerce giants present a big threat to appliances and electronics specialists
Tourism and entertainment seasons to support growth, while tech-savvy locals will look for the latest innovation
Table 108 Appliances and Electronics Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 109 Appliances and Electronics Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 110 Appliances and Electronics Specialists GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 111 Appliances and Electronics Specialists GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 112 Appliances and Electronics Specialists LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 113 Appliances and Electronics Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 114 Appliances and Electronics Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027

Home Products Specialists in Saudi Arabia

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Growth slows in 2022 as some households face financial pressures
Real estate development supports demand for home products while consumers go in search of the best deals
Social media fuels demand while BNPL services support sales
Expansion and new store openings predicted with IKEA expected to strengthen its position
Home makeovers and an increase in new homes should drive sales
Rising home ownership should boost demand for home products specialists
Table 115 Home Products Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 116 Home Products Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 117 Sales in Home Products Specialists by Channel: Value 2017-2022
Table 118 Sales in Home Products Specialists by Channel: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 119 Home Products Specialists GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 120 Home Products Specialists GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 121 Home Products Specialists LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 122 Home Products Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 123 Home Products Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027
Table 124 Forecast Sales in Home Products Specialists by Channel: Value 2022-2027
Table 125 Forecast Sales in Home Products Specialists by Channel: % Value Growth 2022-2027

Health and Beauty Specialists in Saudi Arabia

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Social media drives sales growth
Inflation and high disposable incomes
New store openings seen as Al Nahdi Medical Co maintains the lead
Bright outlook for health and beauty specialists as visitors return to the Kingdom
Delivering competitive prices could be key to expansion within the pharmacies channel
Social media presents strong marketing opportunities but e-commerce threatens store-based sales
Table 126 Health and Beauty Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 127 Health and Beauty Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 128 Sales in Health and Beauty Specialists by Channel: Value 2017-2022
Table 129 Sales in Health and Beauty Specialists by Channel: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 130 Health and Beauty Specialists GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 131 Health and Beauty Specialists GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 132 Health and Beauty Specialists LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 133 Health and Beauty Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 134 Health and Beauty Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027
Table 135 Forecast Sales in Health and Beauty Specialists by Channel: Value 2022-2027
Table 136 Forecast Sales in Health and Beauty Specialists by Channel: % Value Growth 2022-2027

Vending in Saudi Arabia

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Lifting of COVID-19 restrictions boosts vending sales
Rising health awareness supports demand for healthy food and drinks vending machines
New shopping malls create new vending opportunities
Vending full of potential as tourism increases and new shopping and entertainment opportunities arise
Cash-only vending machines expected to disappear as Saudi Arabia moves towards becoming a cashless society
Rising demand for healthier options
Table 137 Vending by Product: Value 2017-2022
Table 138 Vending by Product: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 139 Vending GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 140 Vending GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 141 Vending Forecasts by Product: Value 2022-2027
Table 142 Vending Forecasts by Product: % Value Growth 2022-2027

Direct Selling in Saudi Arabia

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Price increase of consumer goods
Beauty and personal care direct selling faces strong competition with e-commerce
Rising health awareness supports the growth of bottled water within direct selling
Social media and e-commerce present new opportunities but direct selling will remain about the personal touch
Bottled water is expected to continue dominating direct selling
Beauty and personal care direct selling facing strong competition
Table 143 Direct Selling by Product: Value 2017-2022
Table 144 Direct Selling by Product: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 145 Direct Selling GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 146 Direct Selling GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 147 Direct Selling Forecasts by Product: Value 2022-2027
Table 148 Direct Selling Forecasts by Product: % Value Growth 2022-2027

Retail E-Commerce in Saudi Arabia

KEY DATA FINDINGS

E-commerce continued to boom
Inflation affecting consumer shopping behaviour to the benefit of e-commerce
High internet access supports demand while Amazon and Noon compete for the lead
E-commerce boom to continue supported by government investment
Stronger competition predicted to be seen as players invest in new technology and innovations
The challenge of product assortments’ limited size
Table 149 Retail E-Commerce by Channel: Value 2017-2022
Table 150 Retail E-Commerce by Channel: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 151 Retail E-Commerce by Product: Value 2017-2022
Table 152 Retail E-Commerce by Product: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 153 Retail E-Commerce GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 154 Retail E-Commerce GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 155 Forecast Retail E-Commerce by Channel: Value 2022-2027
Table 156 Forecast Retail E-Commerce by Channel: % Value Growth 2022-2027
Table 157 Forecast Retail E-Commerce by Product: Value 2022-2027
Table 158 Forecast Retail E-Commerce by Product: % Value Growth 2022-2027
The following categories and subcategories are included:

Retailing

      • Fashion Vending
      • Health and Beauty Vending
      • Appliances and Electronics Vending
        • Alcoholic Drinks Vending
        • Hot Drinks Vending
        • Soft Drinks Vending
        • Tobacco Products Vending
      • Foods Vending
      • Home Products Vending
      • Other Products Vending
        • Apparel and Footwear Direct Selling
        • Personal Accessories Direct Selling
        • Eyewear Direct Selling
        • Beauty and Personal Care Direct Selling
        • Consumer Health Direct Selling
        • Tissue and Hygiene Direct Selling
        • Consumer Appliances Direct Selling
        • Consumer Electronics Direct Selling
        • Toys and Games Direct Selling
      • Drinks and Tobacco Direct Selling
      • Foods Direct Selling
        • Home Care Direct Selling
        • Home and Garden Direct Selling
        • Pet Care Direct Selling
      • Other Products Direct Selling
        • Apparel and Footwear E-Commerce
        • Personal Accessories E-Commerce
        • Eyewear E-Commerce
        • Beauty and Personal Care E-Commerce
        • Consumer Health E-Commerce
        • Tissue and Hygiene E-Commerce
        • Consumer Appliances E-Commerce
        • Consumer Electronics E-Commerce
        • Toys and Games E-Commerce
      • Drinks and Tobacco E-Commerce
      • Foods E-Commerce
        • Home Care E-Commerce
        • Home and Garden E-Commerce
        • Pet Care E-Commerce
      • Other Products E-Commerce
        • First-Party (1P) Marketplace E-Commerce
        • Third-Party (3P) Marketplace E-Commerce
      • Grocery E-Commerce
      • General Merchandiser E-Commerce
      • Apparel and Footwear Specialist E-Commerce
      • Appliances and Electronics Specialist E-Commerce
      • Home Products Specialist E-Commerce
      • Health and Beauty Specialist E-Commerce
      • Leisure and Personal Goods Specialist E-Commerce
      • Other E-Commerce Retailers

Retailing

Retail is the sale of new and used goods to consumers from a business for personal or household consumption from retail outlets, kiosks, market stalls, vending, direct selling and e-commerce. Retail is the aggregation of Retail Offline and Retail E-Commerce. Excludes specialist retailers of motor vehicles, motorcycles, vehicle parts. Also excludes fuel sales, foodservice sales, rental transactions, and wholesale sales (e.g. Cash and Carry). Sales value excluding or including VAT/Sales Tax. Retail also excludes the informal retail sector. Informal retailing is retail trade which is not declared to the tax authorities. Informal retailing encompasses (a) sales generated by unregistered and unlicensed retailers, i.e. retailers operating illegally, and (b) any proportion of sales generated by a registered and licensed retailer that is not declared to the tax authorities. Unregistered and unlicensed retailers operate predominantly (although not exclusively) as street hawkers or operate open market stalls, as these channels are harder for the authorities to monitor than permanent outlets. Activities in the illegal market, which is usually understood to refer to trade in illegal, counterfeit or stolen merchandise, are included within our definition of informal retailing. Activities in the “grey market”, which is usually understood to refer to trade in legal merchandise that is sold through unauthorized channels – for example cigarettes bought legally in another country, legally imported, but sold at lower prices than in authorized channels – will be included as informal retailing if no tax is paid on sale by the retailer. However if the retailer pays tax – for example on cigarettes bought legally in another country but sold at a lower price than standard – the sale is included within formal retail.

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