Saudi retail sector to grow to $119 bln in five years: report

Retail sales across four GCC countries, namely Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are projected to rise by more than $24 billion over the next five years, with an estimated growth rate of 12.3 percent in Saudi Arabia, Saudi Gazette reported citing a new research from Euromonitor International.

These four countries are all set to capitalize on the rise of consumerism thanks to favorable demographics, a rise in population and a strong growth trajectory in tourism and per capita income, Euromonitor International added.

The report said retail industry in Saudi Arabia is currently worth $106 billion and is forecast to steadily rise to $119 billion by 2023. Store-based retailing will continue to dominate, accounting for $103 billion of the overall market in Saudi Arabia.

However, non-store retailing, which includes online shopping, direct selling, mobile internet, social media and home shopping, will grow by 93 percent from 2018 to 2023.

The value of non-store retailing is also forecast to increase across all four Gulf markets between 2018 and 2023, with a 78 percent increase in the UAE, 68 percent in Oman and 48 percent in Kuwait, the report said.