Saudi shoppers tighten grocery spending, splurge on tech: Saudi consumers sought value in grocery purchases but loosened the purse strings when it came to premium electronics in 3Q 2025, according to NielsenIQ’s State of the Nation report (pdf).

(** Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links to our background and outside sources.)

By the numbers: The Kingdom saw steady spending growth in the year ending in September, with fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) revenues up 1.7% y-o-y and tech and durables (T&D) sales rising 4.5% y-o-y. Petcare led grocery growth (up 13% y-o-y), followed by snacking (up 6% y-o-y) and beverages (up 3% y-o-y).

Meanwhile, premium T&D categories dominated the sector, with sales of smartphones rising 7% y-o-y, TVs up 2% y-o-y, and media tablets up 6% y-o-y.

What they said: “Saudi consumers prioritize value in groceries but will splurge on premium technology, while UAE shoppers show strong growth at both ends of the spectrum, presenting opportunities for suppliers to cater to both entry-level and premium segments,” General Manager for the Arabian Peninsula and Pakistan Andrey Dvoychenkov said.

Traditional trade remains key, representing 23% of sales in the Kingdom, while e-commerce now contributes 5.6%. For T&D, organized retail drives over 75% of regional revenues, with online channels accounting for nearly one-third of sales, reflecting consumers’ comfort spending digitally on high-value tech even while fresh groceries remain largely offline.

Tags: