Baqalas Restricted Under New Rules As Saudi Pushes Retail Reform
RIYADH, June 27: The Saudi Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing has announced sweeping changes to the operations of small grocery stores—known locally as baqalas—prohibiting them from selling several commonly stocked items, including tobacco, dates, meat, fruits, and vegetables.
The decision, issued by Minister Majed Al-Hogail, aims to restructure the Kingdom's retail landscape while elevating public health and food safety standards. The new regulation is effective immediately; however, existing establishments will have a six-month grace period to comply.
Key Restrictions
Under the new rules, grocery stores, kiosks, and mini markets are no longer permitted to sell:
Tobacco products, including cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and shisha
Dates
Fresh meat
Fruits and vegetables
These items may now only be sold in:
Supermarkets, which must obtain a special license for meat sales
Hypermarkets, which may sell all the above without requiring additional permits
The sale of accessories such as charger cables and prepaid recharge cards will still be allowed across all retail formats, including baqalas.
Revised Space Requirements
The regulation also introduces new minimum space requirements for each retail category:
Baqalas (small grocery stores): Minimum of 24 square meters
Supermarkets: Minimum of 100 square meters
Hypermarkets: Minimum of 500 square meters
These requirements are intended to create clear operational distinctions between store types and ensure more rigorous oversight.
Impact on Retailers and Consumers
The regulation is expected to affect thousands of small retailers across the Kingdom, many of which have long depended on items like dates and tobacco to drive daily sales. Store owners seeking to continue offering restricted goods will need to either expand their premises or transition to a higher retail classification.
For consumers, the new policy could mean fewer convenience options at local shops, particularly for fresh produce. However, officials say the changes will enhance consumer protection through better product storage and handling practices in larger, licensed establishments.
Enforcement and Compliance
The Ministry confirmed that inspection teams will monitor compliance throughout the six-month transition period. After that, non-compliant businesses may face penalties, including fines or possible closure.
The reforms are part of Saudi Arabia's broader efforts under Vision 2030 to modernize its economy, streamline commerce, and promote public well-being through stricter food and retail standards.
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Baqalas Restricted Under New Rules As Saudi Pushes Retail Reform
RIYADH, June 27: The Saudi Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing has announced sweeping changes to the operations of small grocery stores—known locally as baqalas—prohibiting them from selling several commonly stocked items, including tobacco, dates, meat, fruits, and vegetables. The decision, issued by Minister Majed Al-Hogail, aims to restructure the Kingdom's retail landscape while elevating public health and food safety standards. The new regulation is effective immediately; however, existing establishments will have a six-month grace period to comply. Key Restrictions Under the new rules, grocery stores, kiosks, and mini markets are no longer permitted to sell: Tobacco products, including cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and shisha Dates Fresh meat Fruits and vegetables These items may now only be sold in: Supermarkets, which must obtain a special license for meat sales Hypermarkets, which may sell all the above without requiring additional permits The sale of accessories such as charger cables and prepaid recharge cards will still be allowed across all retail formats, including baqalas. Revised Space Requirements The regulation also introduces new minimum space requirements for each retail category: Baqalas (small grocery stores): Minimum of 24 square meters Supermarkets: Minimum of 100 square meters Hypermarkets: Minimum of 500 square meters These requirements are intended to create clear operational distinctions between store types and ensure more rigorous oversight. Impact on Retailers and Consumers The regulation is expected to affect thousands of small retailers across the Kingdom, many of which have long depended on items like dates and tobacco to drive daily sales. Store owners seeking to continue offering restricted goods will need to either expand their premises or transition to a higher retail classification. For consumers, the new policy could mean fewer convenience options at local shops, particularly for fresh produce. However, officials say the changes will enhance consumer protection through better product storage and handling practices in larger, licensed establishments. Enforcement and Compliance The Ministry confirmed that inspection teams will monitor compliance throughout the six-month transition period. After that, non-compliant businesses may face penalties, including fines or possible closure. The reforms are part of Saudi Arabia's broader efforts under Vision 2030 to modernize its economy, streamline commerce, and promote public well-being through stricter food and retail standards.
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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 26: Saudi Arabia has introduced sweeping new regulations aimed at restructuring the country's retail sector, banning small grocery stores, commonly known as baqalas, from selling key products such as tobacco, fresh produce, dates, and meat. The new rules, issued by Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al Hogail, took immediate effect, though existing stores will be granted a six-month grace period to comply with the changes. Under the directive, baqalas and kiosks are now barred from selling both regular and electronic cigarettes, shisha products, as well as fresh items including fruits, vegetables, dates, and meat. These products will now be exclusively available in larger retail formats such as supermarkets and hypermarkets. The sale of meat will further require a special licence under the new regulations. In contrast to the restrictions, the updated regulations expand the list of permissible goods that smaller stores may sell, including items such as phone charger cables and prepaid recharge cards. The policy also introduces new minimum space requirements: 24 square meters for grocery stores, 100 square meters for supermarkets, and 500 square meters for hypermarkets. These changes are part of broader efforts to standardize retail practices and ensure better compliance with health and safety regulations across the kingdom. This move comes amid the Saudi government's continued push under Vision 2030 to modernize the economy, streamline the retail sector, and curb the informal sale of regulated goods. The regulation also aligns with recent efforts to combat illegal tobacco sales and enforce stricter controls on food quality and hygiene standards. Earlier this year, Saudi authorities launched a nationwide crackdown on unlicensed tobacco vendors and introduced digital tracking systems to monitor cigarette distribution. In addition, the Ministry of Health has advocated for tighter controls on fresh produce and meat sales in response to increasing concerns over food safety and supply chain transparency. The newly introduced retail guidelines are expected to reshape the landscape of local commerce, impacting thousands of small retailers while encouraging investment in larger, regulated retail outlets.
