30% of Saudi Consumers Plan to Reduce Electronics Purchases

With over 231 million transactions recorded in the country over the past week, consumer spending via point-of-sale (POS) in Saudi Arabia fell by 12% to SAR 13.1 billion. Spending rates varied by Saudi Arabian city and by need, with some focusing on travel and others on money management.

All Saudis, however, are working to make their finances more sustainable. This article analyses this drop and lists the Saudi Arabian consumers’ top objectives, emphasising their strategic orientations for 2025.

KSA’s Declining Consumer Spending

As reported by the Saudi Central Bank’s weekly bulletin, during the week ending September 13, consumer spending via points of sale (POS) transactions in Saudi Arabia fell by over 12% compared to the previous week. Last week, weekly POS transactions totalled SAR 13.108 billion, down from SAR 14.946 billion the week before. About 231.06 million POS transactions were made, a 4.7% decline.

Consumer expenditures differed by sector; the petrol station sector’s POS transactions were valued at about SAR 1.02 billion, while the transportation industry’s transactions were valued at SAR 966.77 million. About SAR 1.96 billion was spent last week in the food and beverage industry, a 13% decline. Spending in the restaurants and cafés sector came in at about SAR 1.57 billion, a 6.1% weekly decrease.

All activities showed a decrease in point-of-sale (POS) transactions, save for jewellery and medical services, which witnessed increases of 2.4% and 0.8% to SAR 317.7 million and SAR 526.5 million, respectively.

Riyadh was the top-ranked city in Saudi Arabia for consumer spending through point-of-sale (POS) at about SAR 4.65 billion, a 10% weekly decrease. Jeddah came next with about SAR 1.849 billion, a weekly drop of 12.4%. SAR 663.98 million was spent on POS transactions in Dammam, SAR 506.1 million in Makkah, and SAR 496.2 million in Madinah.

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Top Saudi Consumer Spending Trends for 2025

Financial management influences consumer expenditure in Saudi Arabia, with 68% of Saudis indicating a desire for luxury travel experiences worldwide. The “Consumer Trends 2025” analysis by Toluna and Metrix Lab highlights significant changes in Saudi consumer habits.

According to the responses of 525 participants, the report identified travel, sustainability, health, and financial management as this year’s primary consumer concerns. It highlighted the top worries of Saudi consumers for the New Year: health (42%), financial stability (50%), and the rising cost of living (56%), which influence their resolutions.

Research indicates that 87% of citizens made New Year’s resolutions, an increase from 77% in 2024. While one in four achieved all their objectives, 7 out of 10 only partially succeeded. Additionally, 87% are confident in meeting their 2025 goals.

The trend towards prudent spending has led to notable shifts in consumer behaviour: 35% of respondents plan to reduce spending on luxury items, 42% aim to cut back on dining and delivery services, and 41% will limit takeaway expenditures. Additionally, 36% plan to curtail accessory purchases, and 30% intend to decrease spending on electronic gadgets.

Financial management has become a key priority for many citizens, with 82% of respondents focusing on controlling spending and conserving money. Additionally, 64% expressed a desire to enhance their financial management skills, while 47% plan to pursue a new career. Health-conscious behaviours are also prominent, with 74% intending to maintain a healthy diet and 64% aiming to exercise regularly.

64% of respondents want to keep their subscriptions to gyms and fitness centres, indicating that physical fitness is still a major priority. In 2025, 61% of Saudi citizens said they wanted to spend more time with their families, indicating a trend towards preserving financial restraint while fostering closer personal ties.

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Saudi Arabia’s Financial Prudence & Sustainability  

Even with their cautious financial practices, many Saudis nevertheless place a high priority on spending money on things that enhance their quality of life. According to the survey, half of the respondents indicated they would continue to purchase skincare products, and half said they would continue to pay for TV and entertainment subscriptions.

Additionally, 90% of respondents said they plan to travel abroad in 2025, with Egypt, Turkey, and the United States being the top three destinations (21%, 20%, and 11%, respectively). 68% said they would be willing to pay more for luxury travel experiences, such as five-star hotels, premium flight services, and planned trips.

Residents give sustainability a lot of weight when making purchases. According to the report, 43% of consumers prefer items that use ethical and transparent procedures, and 41% are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly packaging. In addition, despite the state of the economy, 53% of respondents say that a company’s social and environmental responsibility influences their decision to buy.

In the automotive industry, this tendency is clear, as 26% of respondents said they would buy hybrid vehicles in 2025, indicating the Kingdom’s growing interest in environmentally friendly transportation options.

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