Latest news with #consumeractivity
Arab News
25-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Education sector leads weekly POS surge with 666% value spike despite overall drop
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's point-of-sale spending in the education sector saw a weekly rise of 666 percent to reach SR193.26 million ($51.53 million) by June 21, according to official data. The latest figures from the Saudi Central Bank, known as SAMA, also showed the number of POS transactions in the sector nearly doubled, climbing by 98.1 percent, indicating a significant rebound in consumer activity in this segment. This sharp increase in educational spending came despite a 1.5 percent decline in the total value of POS transactions across the Kingdom, which dropped from SR11.1 billion to SR10.9 billion over the same period. The weekly data further showed that transaction values rose in several other sectors, although none matched the scale of growth seen in the education division. Spending on transportation increased by 28.7 percent, while construction and building materials saw a 25.6 percent uptick in value. Telecommunication and health sectors both posted gains of 4.8 percent and 16.8 percent, respectively. The electronics and electric devices segment recorded a 16.8 percent rise in spending value, and the furniture sector grew by 4.4 percent. Slight increases were also observed in the public utilities and miscellaneous goods and services sectors, which grew by 3.5 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively. However, several categories experienced downturns. The largest declines in transaction values were reported in the hotels and recreation and culture sectors, which fell by 9.1 percent and 14.7 percent, respectively. Regionally, Riyadh remained the top city for POS spending, logging over SR3.91 billion in transactions, a 9.1 percent increase from the previous week. Dammam and Khobar also recorded gains, with spending in Dammam up by 8.4 percent and in Khobar by 5.1 percent. Cities such as Makkah and Madinah recorded double-digit declines, down by 24.2 percent and 11.7 percent, respectively, in total POS transaction values. Jeddah maintained a steady performance, with spending remaining flat at SR1.6 billion, while Tabuk saw a slight uptick of 3 percent in value. Spending in restaurants and cafes dropped by 12.8 percent, while beverage and food transactions declined by 7.2 percent. Jewelry purchases also contracted by 12.8 percent, and clothing and footwear fell by 7.2 percent. Other sectors, such as gas stations and the category, also saw declines of 5.1 percent. Overall, the total number of POS transactions across all sectors dipped slightly by 0.6 percent week on week, totaling just over 202.5 million transactions during the reporting period.
Zawya
23-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: No Increase in food prices domestically despite regional conflict — JCC
AMMAN — Representative of the food sector at the Jordan Chamber of Commerce (JCC) Jamal Amr has said that food prices in the Kingdom have remained stable and unaffected by the ongoing Iranian-Israeli conflict. Amr said that demand for food products saw an uptick on Saturday, following a period of relatively weak consumer activity. He added that demand is expected to increase further in the coming days, particularly with the upcoming disbursement of salaries in both the public and private sectors. International food prices have shown a different trend. According to a new report released recently by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the global food price index rose in February, driven by higher prices for sugar, dairy products, and vegetable oils. The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in international prices of a basket of commonly traded food commodities, averaged 127.1 points in February. This represents a 1.6 per cent increase compared to January and remains 8.2 per cent higher than its level in February 2024. Despite global increases, Amr stressed that the local market remains insulated, with no price hikes recorded for essential food items thus far. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
CNA
12-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
Heartland shops near Causeway lament low footfall but say CDC vouchers help cushion impact
SINGAPORE: Heartland businesses near the Johor-Singapore Causeway are experiencing decreased consumer activity as more people travel across the border to Malaysia during the June school holidays. Retail owners in Woodlands and Marsiling said that while government efforts like the Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers have lessened the impact, they are hoping for more assistance with increased operating costs such as rental hikes. Ms Noor Adibah, an employee at Aliyah Rizq, a Muslim-owned meat and seafood store in Woodlands North Plaza, said there has been an 80 per cent increase in business since the latest tranche of vouchers were given out last month. 'Before this, the shop (did not have) many people coming because we only (used) payWave or PayNow,' said Ms Noor. 'But with the government's CDC vouchers, more people came to the store.' She added that the shop is also promoting its products on social media to help increase sales during this period. CDC VOUCHERS The government on Feb 18 announced that Singaporean households will be given S$800 (US$600) in CDC vouchers to help offset rising costs. The first S$500 in vouchers were disbursed in May and the remaining S$300 will be given out in January next year. Hong Thai Ginseng Birdnest Pte Ltd, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) store in Woodlands, said the vouchers have helped to increase its earnings by between S$300 and S$600 last month. It added that about a quarter of its customers have been paying with the vouchers. However, the outlet said that its operating cost has also increased after the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that rental prices in the area have gone up by 10 per cent in the last year. WELCOME BUT TEMPORARY RELIEF Some business owners said that while the vouchers spur spending, the relief is temporary and the problem persists in the long run. Mr Gene Hong, the owner of a clothing store that has been at Marsiling for 16 years, said that footfall has dropped by nearly 25 per cent in June. He said more customers usually make use of the school holidays to cross the Causeway to shop in Johor Bahru, where prices are typically lower. 'I thank the government for giving CDC (vouchers), but it is not enough. Because half (will go) to the supermarket, some of them retail. But how much can they buy? (The amount) … won't cover my rental,' he said. The 75-year-old said he is opening a hair salon a few units away from his clothing shop in hopes the new venture will provide him with another source of income. "(Even) at this old age, we will never give up. We are still trying a new trade. But the hair salon (business) is very, very competitive,' noted Mr Hong, adding he plans to offer prices as low as S$6 per haircut to stay ahead of competitors in the area. LOOKING BEYOND CDC VOUCHERS Department of Statistics data released last Thursday (Jun 5) showed that retail sales growth in Singapore is slowing, easing to 0.3 per cent year-on-year in April, as compared to 1.3 per cent in March. Experts said consumers are being cautious with their spending. 'Market conditions, which softened in the first quarter of this year could weaken further … and locals are finding better deals when travelling abroad amid a strong (Singapore) dollar,' said DBS Bank senior economist Chua Han Teng. The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) in March announced the creation of a task force to help rejuvenate retail areas and create opportunities in the heartlands, assisting local enterprises to compete with retail offerings in Malaysia. The task force said it will work with retailers and merchants' associations, aiming to release its findings and recommendations in 2026. Mr Hong suggested that authorities could improve the shopping area in Marsiling with festive decorations and organise more activities like carnivals to attract visitors to the estate. 'Maybe during Christmas or Chinese New Year, they can put up some lighting. This is like a dead town,' he said.
