POS transactions hit SAR 17B last week: SAMA

POS transactions represent consumer expenditure through debit and credit cards

The point-of-sale (POS) transactions in Saudi Arabia reached nearly SAR 17 billion in the week ended Jan. 3, compared to about SAR 13 billion a week earlier.

 As a result, weekly point-of-sale sales recorded their highest level since the week ended March 29, 2025, which preceded the Eid Al-Fitr holiday.

The number of POS transactions reached about 255.4 million last week, compared to nearly 220.7 million in the previous week, according to data issued by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA).

POS transactions represent consumer expenditure through debit and credit cards at major shopping centers, retail outlets, pharmacies, and others.

The data indicated that the value of sales via POS increases in the weeks that coincide with the disbursement of salaries to government employees (the 27th of each month), in addition to the weeks that coincide with school vacations and the weeks preceding Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha.

On the other hand, the value of sales decreases in the weeks preceding salary disbursement and those coinciding with the start of the back-to-school season.

The four-week moving average value of POS transactions stood at about SAR 14 billion. Adopting the four-week moving average, the value of POS transactions soared during 2024 compared to 2023 and 2022. The average value of sales ranged between SAR 11 billion and SAR 14 billion in 2024, compared to SAR 10 billion to SAR 13 billion in 2023 and SAR 9 billion to SAR 12 billion in 2022.

Consumer spending focused on food and beverages (F&B) at 15.9%, or SAR 2.71 billion, and restaurants and cafes at 11.2% (SAR 11.2 billion).

Riyadh spearheaded the Saudi cities in terms of consumer finance value, with approximately SAR 5.61 billion, representing 33% of the total. Jeddah followed with SAR 2.24 billion (13.1%).

According to the latest data from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), e-payments in the retail (individuals) sector reached 79% of total payments carried out by individuals in the Kingdom during 2024. This achieved the target ratio in the Financial Sector Development Program, one of Vision 2030’s programs, which aims to reach an e-payment ratio of 70% by 2025.

Over the past few years, Saudi Arabia has witnessed remarkable progress and rapid growth in e-payment adoption, thanks to the myriad strategic efforts and initiatives launched by SAMA, in cooperation with the financial sector, to support the growth of the payments sector and stimulate the use of various e-payment methods in the Kingdom.