https://arab.news/679n7
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s wholesale and retail trade revenue index rose 7.3 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting sustained strength in consumer spending and commercial activity across the Kingdom.
Preliminary data released by the General Authority for Statistics showed the general operating revenue index for the sector also increased 0.5 percent from the previous quarter, reaching 124.8 points.
The latest data points to continued strength in Saudi Arabia’s wholesale and retail trade sector, a key contributor to the Kingdom’s economic diversification efforts and private-sector growth under Vision 2030.
“The results indicated a year-on-year increase in the Operating Revenues Index for retail trade, except motor vehicles and motorcycles, of 9.6 percent and a 5.5 percent increase for wholesale trade, except motor vehicles and motorcycles,” said GASTAT.
The report added that the sale and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles activity grew by 5.4 percent in the first quarter compared to the year-ago period.
On a quarterly basis, the Operating Revenues Index for retail trade excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles rose 1.3 percent, while wholesale trade increased 1.8 percent. Revenue from the sale and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, however, declined 3.1 percent from the previous quarter.
Labor costs also increased during the period, with the Employees Compensation Index rising 10.1 percent year on year.
Retail trade excluding motor vehicles posted the highest growth at 11.4 percent, followed by motor vehicles and motorcycles at 8.2 percent, and wholesale trade excluding motor vehicles at 8.1 percent.
Compared with the previous quarter, employee compensation in retail trade rose 1.8 percent, while wholesale trade increased 2.2 percent and the sale and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles advanced 0.5 percent.
E-commerce continued to outpace broader market growth during the quarter, with the E-commerce Sales Index climbing 13.6 percent year on year.
Retail trade excluding motor vehicles led with an 18.4 percent increase, followed by wholesale trade excluding motor vehicles at 10 percent, and the sale and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles at 3.2 percent.
Quarterly gains were steadier at 1.1 percent for retail, 0.7 percent for wholesale trade, and 0.2 percent for the sale and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles.
The Automobile Sales Index rose 3.4 percent in the first quarter compared to the same period in 2025, but decreased 2.9 percent from the previous quarter.
Wholesale and Retail Trade Statistics provide short-term economic data to measure the performance of the wholesale and retail trade sector in the Kingdom, according to GASTAT.