Saudi Arabia

E-commerce saw continued growth in 2019, with the current value terms performance representing an improvement on that seen the previous year. As the Kingdom steadily advances toward the realisation of Vision 2030, the Saudi Government has launched a ...

The home and garden specialist retailers channel saw an improved performance in 2019, despite continuing to demonstrate negative growth. Given the price consciousness of consumers in the country, the majority shy away from premium brands selling ...

The apparel and footwear specialists channel saw continued negative growth in 2019. Massive closures in the channel occurred towards the end of the review period, as players consolidated brand portfolios and closed non-performing outlets. This was ...

The traditional grocery retailers channel saw continued negative growth in 2019, although the performance did represent an improvement on that of the previous year. Players in this environment continue to face strong competition as they play into the...

Vending saw increasing growth in 2019 as wider penetration of such machines in high footfall public locations, such as universities, hospitals, shopping malls, airports and commercial buildings, attracted consumers. Technological updates will be a ...

The discounters channel saw a considerable downturn in 2019, with a much greater level of negative growth than seen the previous year. Discounters continued to be impacted by the economic slowdown seen at the end of the review period. The ...

The variety stores channel saw continued growth in 2019. Independent variety stores are garnering consumer attention due to the wide variety of products they offer at cost-effective prices. All items at SR5/10 variety stores are particularly popular ...

The homeshopping channel saw a distinct weakening of its performance in 2019, slipping into negative growth territory. As paid TV subscriptions decline in the country as online video subscriptions such as Netflix grow year-on-year, consumer access to...

Electronics and appliance specialist retailers continued to post negative growth in 2019 as Saudization and VAT implementation led to consumers limiting expenditure on non-essential items. However, although performance remained negative, it ...

The hypermarkets channel saw a return to positive growth in 2019, from the negative performance demonstrated the previous year. Over the past few years, the landscape of the retail environments in Riyadh and Jeddah have transformed from conventional ...

The health and beauty specialist retailers channel in Saudi Arabia saw continued negative growth in 2019, as economic conditions at the end of the review period resulted in consumers reigning in non-essential purchases. The country has one of the ...

The supermarkets channel returned to positive growth territory in 2019, albeit marginal. The channel continues to grow in terms of outlets, as supermarkets remain popular among consumers. The channel also represents an attractive format for players ...

When it comes to healthy eating, Danube Online has recently observed an almost identical rise in demand among female and male shoppers for health-related products. This category includes fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and organic products. ...

While the department stores channel saw continued negative growth in 2019, its performance nonetheless represented a considerable improvement on that of the previous year. Value-oriented department stores such as Centerpoint and RedTag performed well...

The convenience stores channel saw an upturn in performance in 2019 compared with the previous year, returning to positive growth. Almost 20% of convenience stores and baqalas have closed down in Saudi Arabia as a result of the country’s Saudization ...

Millennials in KSA are embracing online and mobile-first platforms for shopping. Mobile shopping is popular, with 85% saying they use their smartphones for shopping either the same amount or more than they did last year. Saudi consumers are embracing...

The direct selling channel saw a return to growth in 2019, representing an improvement on the negative performance of the previous year. Towards the end of the review period many expatriates had to send their families back to their home countries to ...

In a market that has been tax-free, the introduction of VAT towards the end of the review period, even at a relatively low rate of 5%, resulted in a shift in consumer behaviour and reduced spending. The outcome of the decline in discretionary ...

Healthier active lifestyles continue to develop in Saudi Arabia in 2019, endorsed by the government, which in turn supported demand for sportswear. Part of the country’s Saudi Vision 2030 programme is the encouragement of participation in physical ...

Apparel accessories saw an improved performance in 2019 compared with the previous year. This was due to economic recovery, and greater consumer spending power. The category is mainly dominated by scarves, as they are mandatory in the country. ...