Saudi Trade Revenues Rise 7.3% in Q1 2026
Preliminary data from the General Authority for Statistics show a 0.5% quarterly uptick, alongside an 18.4% jump in online retail sales excluding vehicles.
Saudi Arabia’s general operating revenue index for wholesale and retail trade increased by 7.3% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, according to preliminary figures released by the General Authority for Statistics.
The index also recorded a 0.5% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2025.
Within the sector breakdown, operating revenue in retail trade excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles rose by 9.5% year-on-year, marking the strongest growth among the three main categories.
Wholesale trade excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles recorded a 5.5% increase, while revenue from the sale and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles rose by 5.4% compared to the first quarter of 2025.
On a quarterly basis, retail trade excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles increased by 1.3%, while revenue from the sale and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles declined by 3.1%.
The data also showed growth in employee compensation across the sector. Compensation in wholesale and retail trade excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles rose by 11.4% year-on-year, while compensation in the sale and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles increased by 8.2%.
Employee compensation in wholesale trade excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles grew by 8.1% compared to the first quarter of 2025.
Compared to the previous quarter, compensation increased by 1.8% in wholesale and retail trade excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles, 2.2% in wholesale trade excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles, and 0.5% in the sale and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles.
E-commerce activity also recorded notable gains during the quarter. The online sales index for retail trade excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles rose by 18.4% year-on-year, while online sales in wholesale trade increased by 10%.
