Saudi Arabia issues 79,600 commercial, construction licenses for closed stores

Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing headquarters

Saudi Arabia issued 79,632 licenses for closed stores. This included 43,164 and 36,459 commercial and construction licenses for dark stores, respectively, Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper reported, citing the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing.

The total number of commercial licenses stood at 6,876 year to date, including 6,070 and 806 commercial and construction licenses, respectively.

Dark stores are commercial establishments located in business streets. They operate according to the closed stores requirements. Their commodities are marketed online.

Target categories are stores in the retail sector, as well as food and beverages restaurants. These requirements aim to create modern business models that keep pace with electronic commerce and provide job opportunities.