Saudi restaurant and cafe sales boost August POS spending to $15.6bn

Saudi restaurant and cafe sales boost August POS spending to $15.6bn
Saudi Arabia’s point-of-sale spending reached around SR58.51 billion ($15.6 billion) in August. Shutterstock
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Updated 20 October 2024
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Saudi restaurant and cafe sales boost August POS spending to $15.6bn

Saudi restaurant and cafe sales boost August POS spending to $15.6bn

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s point-of-sale spending reached around SR58.51 billion ($15.6 billion) in August, marking a 9.67 percent rise compared to the same month last year, according to the latest data.

Figures from the Saudi Central Bank, known as SAMA, revealed that 36 percent of POS spending during this period — totaling SR16.55 billion — was spent on beverages, food, restaurants, and cafes, reflecting a 4.72 percent increase. This growth was primarily driven by higher spending in restaurants and cafes.

An additional 6.2 percent, amounting to SR3.63 billion, was allocated to clothing and footwear, while health and transportation each accounted for approximately 6 percent, or SR3.38 billion, of the total.

The strongest growth in POS spending during this period was in jewelry sales, which rose by 15 percent to SR982.15 million. Telecommunications also grew by 14 percent to SR493.5 million, although it represented only 1 percent of the total share. 

Expenditure on miscellaneous goods and services, including personal care, supplies, maintenance, and cleaning, saw a 12 percent increase, reaching SR6.56 billion in August.

The rise in POS spending across Saudi Arabia, particularly in the hospitality sector, is attributed to several interrelated factors that reflect the Kingdom’s ongoing economic transformation and digitalization initiatives. 

As technology adoption accelerates and consumers increasingly prefer cashless transactions, businesses are recognizing the need for robust POS systems to enhance operational efficiency and customer experiences.

The hospitality industry is at the forefront of this trend, driven by a flourishing tourism sector and government efforts to diversify the economy away from oil dependence. 

With Saudi Arabia hosting more international events and attracting tourists, hospitality operators are investing in advanced POS solutions to streamline service delivery, optimize inventory management, and leverage data analytics for valuable insights.

Additionally, the rise of digital payment options, driven by a young and tech-savvy demographic, is further accelerating this spending trend, as customers seek seamless and convenient payment experiences. 

In this dynamic landscape, TRAY, a leader in cloud-native POS systems, has expanded its partnership with Alraedah Finance, a prominent provider of financial and digital solutions in Saudi Arabia.

Alraedah’s significant financial investment will bolster TRAY’s development of its POS technology and support for enterprise customers. Alraedah Digital Solutions will also provide expertise in data analytics, product development, and system integration. This partnership, initiated in 2023 through a reseller agreement, aims to deliver cutting-edge POS solutions to both small and medium-sized enterprises and larger companies across the MENA region.   

Already, the collaboration has improved business operations for customers in the Kingdom and is set to enhance service offerings, including POS financing, while further supporting the development of the SME sector, particularly in the hospitality industry. 

Declining spending

Public utilities sales, however, saw a decline of 35 percent year on year, reaching SR324.7 million. Over the first eight months of 2024, spending in this sector decreased by 23 percent compared to the same period in 2023.

This drop can be attributed to privatization efforts in the Gulf’s utility sector.

With greater private sector participation, particularly in water desalination and power generation, companies like ACWA Power have implemented more efficient technologies and renewable energy solutions, driving down costs.

Innovations such as solar-powered desalination plants and tariff reforms have reduced utility bills, encouraging responsible consumption and promoting sustainability.

Spending on electronic and electric devices also dropped by 15 percent, reaching SR878.5 million. According to SAMA data, sales in this sector have fluctuated due to factors such as seasonal promotions, new product launches, and changing economic conditions. 

Figures also showed that Riyadh led in POS sales distribution in August with 34 percent, reaching about SR20 billion, followed by Jeddah, which accounted for 14 percent, totaling SR8.16 billion.

The capital’s vibrant hospitality scene, bolstered by a surge in both local and international tourism, has driven demand for advanced POS solutions in restaurants, cafes, and retail establishments. 

Furthermore, significant government initiatives aimed at diversifying the economy and promoting the tourism sector have led to increased consumer activity and spending.

Riyadh’s growing population, coupled with a young, tech-savvy demographic that favors cashless transactions, further contributes to its dominance in POS spending, positioning the city as a key player in the Kingdom’s evolving digital economy.   


NEOM board of directors announces leadership change

NEOM board of directors announces leadership change
Updated 12 November 2024
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NEOM board of directors announces leadership change

NEOM board of directors announces leadership change
  • Head of Public Investment Fund’s Local Real Estate Division since 2018, Al-Mudaifer has a deep and strategic understanding of NEOM and its projects

NEOM: The NEOM Board of Directors on Tuesday announced the appointment of Aiman Al-Mudaifer as acting CEO of the company. Al-Mudaifer assumes leadership of NEOM, following Nadhmi Al-Nasr’s departure.

As NEOM enters a new phase of delivery, this new leadership will ensure operational continuity, agility and efficiency to match the overall vision and objectives of the project.

Al-Mudaifer takes the helm of the organization with the support of a strong leadership team across NEOM’s regions, sectors and departments.

Head of Public Investment Fund’s Local Real Estate Division since 2018, Al-Mudaifer has a deep and strategic understanding of NEOM and its projects.

In his role at PIF, Al-Mudaifer oversees all local real estate investments and infrastructure projects. He is also a board member of multiple prominent companies within the Kingdom.

NEOM is a fundamental pillar of Saudi Vision 2030 and progress continues on all operations as planned, as we deliver the next phase of our vast portfolio of projects including THE LINE, Oxagon, Trojena, Magna and The Islands of NEOM. 

Through these projects, NEOM seeks to achieve harmony between livability, business and nature, and to create a better future for current and future generations.


Maldives, Bulgaria push for greater climate action, financing

Maldives, Bulgaria push for greater climate action, financing
Updated 12 November 2024
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Maldives, Bulgaria push for greater climate action, financing

Maldives, Bulgaria push for greater climate action, financing

RIYADH: Insufficient financing continues to be a significant barrier preventing many countries, especially underdeveloped nations, from meeting their climate goals, according to the President of the Maldives.

Speaking on the second day of COP29, held in Azerbaijan from Nov. 11-22, Mohamed Muizzu emphasized that small island developing states require trillions, not billions, of dollars in climate finance.

“It is the lack of finance that inhibits our ambitions, which is why this COP, the finance COP, we need to deliver the new climate finance goal. This must reflect the true scale of the climate crisis. The need is in trillions, not billions,” Muizzu said.

He added, “It must consider the special circumstances of small island developing states — it must include adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage.”

Muizzu also reiterated the importance of the environment for his country, stating: “You have called for stronger climate action. Our call has not changed. Our cause has not strayed because, for us, the environment and the ocean are more than resources. They are our cultural identity.”

In a similar vein, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev addressed the global impact of climate-related disasters, emphasizing that no region is immune to the deadly and costly consequences of climate change.

“Bulgaria is committed not only to being part of regional and energy cooperation initiatives across Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the Black Sea region but also beyond, by strengthening the links between the European Union and non-EU countries who share our priorities on climate neutrality, just energy transition, energy security, and low-carbon technological innovation,” Radev said.

He further called for broader action, stating, “All parties should undertake greater efforts to integrate climate change adaptation and resilience into all policies and strategies.”


Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to 12,048

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to 12,048
Updated 12 November 2024
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to 12,048

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to 12,048

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index fell on Tuesday, losing 58.74 points to close at 12,047.67.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR5.75 billion ($1.53 billion), with 70 stocks advancing and 152 declining.

Saudi Arabia’s parallel market saw a drop, losing 50.59 points to close at 29,110.41. The MSCI Tadawul Index also declined, shedding 5.06 points to end at 1,516.14.

The best-performing stock on the main market was Al Jouf Cement Co., with a 4.75 percent increase to SR10.58. Other top gainers included Malath Cooperative Insurance Co. and Elm Co., with shares rising by 4.40 percent to SR15.66 and 3.87 percent to SR1,101.1, respectively.

The worst performer on the main index was Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Co., whose share price dropped by 4.42 percent to SR12.12.

National Environmental Recycling Co., also known as Tadweer, announced it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Re Sustainability Middle East Co. to explore the potential for establishing smelters and recycling units in the Kingdom. According to a statement on Tadawul, the deal is valid for one year and carries no immediate financial impact.

The company’s share price declined by 0.45 percent to SR13.4. 

Purity for Information Technology Co. announced it has secured a contract valued at SR10.7 million from Saudi Comprehensive Technical and Security Control Co. to supply technology equipment. The company stated that the financial impact of the contract will be reflected in the first quarter of next year.

Its share price dropped by 0.73 percent to SR8.33.

Red Sea International Co. reported a narrowed net loss of SR2.18 million for the first nine months of this year, compared to a SR54.7 million loss in the same period in 2023. According to a statement on Tadawul, the improvement was driven by a 515.78 percent year-on-year increase in sales revenue. However, Red Sea International’s share price declined by 4.05 percent to SR71.

Lazurde Co. for Jewelry reported a 42.98 percent decline in net profit for the first nine months, totaling SR24.8 million, compared to the same period last year. The company attributed this drop to a 6.61 percent year-on-year decrease in operating profit over the nine-month period. Lazurde’s share price dropped by 2.05 percent to SR13.36.


UN climate chief urges aggressive action as emissions hit GDP

UN climate chief urges aggressive action as emissions hit GDP
Updated 12 November 2024
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UN climate chief urges aggressive action as emissions hit GDP

UN climate chief urges aggressive action as emissions hit GDP
  • UN official warned that worsening climate impacts will ‘put inflation on steroids’ unless every country takes bolder climate action
  • Simon Stiell called on governments to leave COP29 with a clear global climate finance plan

RIYADH: The global climate crisis is rapidly evolving into an economic threat, with the impact of emissions reducing the gross domestic product of several countries by up to 5 percent, a UN official said. 

Speaking at the high-level segment for heads of state and government at the COP29 in Baku, Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, emphasized the urgent need for more aggressive climate actions to address economic challenges, including rising inflation. 

“We used to talk about climate action as being mostly about saving future generations. But there has been a seismic shift in the global climate crisis, as the climate crisis is fast becoming an economy killer,” said Stiell. 

He added, “In this political cycle, climate impacts are curving up to 5 percent off GDP in many countries. The climate crisis is a cost-of-living crisis, as climate disasters are driving up costs for households and businesses.” 

Stiell’s comments came shortly after a report by finance consultancy Oxera, which revealed that climate-related extreme weather events have cost the global economy more than $2 trillion over the past decade, with the US being the most affected. 

The UN official warned that worsening climate impacts will “put inflation on steroids” unless every country takes bolder climate action. 

Stiell urged the world to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the economic suffering caused by slow and ineffective collective action on supply chain issues. 

Describing climate finance as “global inflation insurance,” he warned that failing to address the economic toll of climate change would lead to disaster. 

“Letting this issue languish halfway down cabinet agendas is a recipe for disaster,” he said. 

However, Stiell remained optimistic, asserting that effective climate action could save economies and create new economic opportunities. He pointed to the growth of renewable energy as a potential driver of stronger financial states for nations. 

“This isn’t just about saving your economies and people,” he said. “Bolder climate action can drive economic opportunity. Cheap, clean energy can be the bedrock of your economies. It means more jobs, growth, less pollution choking cities, healthier citizens, and stronger businesses.” 

Stiell called on governments to leave COP29 with a clear global climate finance plan and urged international cooperation as the key to combating global warming and ensuring humanity’s survival. 

“We need your direct engagement on new national climate targets and plans — NDCs — so that all of you can benefit from the boom in clean energy and climate resilience,” said Stiell. 

He added: “These are not easy times, but despair is not a strategy, nor is it warranted. Our process is strong, and it will endure. After all, international cooperation is the only way humanity can survive global warming.” 


OPEC revises down global oil demand growth forecasts for 2024, 2025

OPEC revises down global oil demand growth forecasts for 2024, 2025
Updated 12 November 2024
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OPEC revises down global oil demand growth forecasts for 2024, 2025

OPEC revises down global oil demand growth forecasts for 2024, 2025
  • OPEC revised its 2024 global oil demand growth estimate to 1.82 million barrels per day, down from 1.93 million bpd forecast last month

LONDON: The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries has again downgraded its global oil demand growth projections for both 2024 and 2025, marking the fourth consecutive reduction.

The revision, announced on Tuesday, underscores weaker demand expectations for key regions such as China, India, and other parts of the world.

The updated forecast highlights the ongoing challenges faced by OPEC+, the broader alliance that includes OPEC members and partners like Russia. Earlier this month, OPEC+ delayed plans to increase oil output starting in December, citing concerns over falling oil prices.

In its latest monthly report, OPEC revised its 2024 global oil demand growth estimate to 1.82 million barrels per day, down from 1.93 million bpd forecast last month. This marks the first revision to the outlook since it was initially set in July 2023.

China was the primary driver of the downward revision. OPEC reduced its forecast for Chinese oil demand growth to 450,000 bpd, down from 580,000 bpd, noting that diesel consumption in September dropped year on year for the seventh consecutive month. OPEC attributed this decline to a slowdown in construction and weak manufacturing activity, as well as the rising use of LNG-fueled trucks in China.

The weaker outlook weighed on oil prices, with Brent crude trading below $73 per barrel following the release of the report.

The demand outlook for 2024 remains uncertain, with significant differences among forecasters regarding the strength of global demand growth, particularly concerning China’s recovery and the pace at which the world transitions to cleaner fuels.

In addition to the 2024 revision, OPEC also lowered its forecast for global oil demand growth in 2025 to 1.54 million bpd, down from the previous estimate of 1.64 million bpd.