Saudi Stores Increase Preparedness for Eid Supplies

Saudi markets witnessed a flourishing season during Eid al-Fitr (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi markets witnessed a flourishing season during Eid al-Fitr (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi Stores Increase Preparedness for Eid Supplies

Saudi markets witnessed a flourishing season during Eid al-Fitr (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi markets witnessed a flourishing season during Eid al-Fitr (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Shops of jewelry, sweets, gifts and clothing in Saudi Arabia witnessed a flourishing movement during the last ten days of Ramadan, as they prepared for Eid al-Fitr celebrations.

Stores raised their levels of preparedness through a variety of new products and marketing and advertising campaigns while some of them opened 24 hours per day.

The southern region of Jazan saw a thriving purchasing movement in the markets of gold, jewelry, ready-made clothes, and luxuries, and in the popular souks.

A number of shop owners pointed to an increase in the demand for gold during the month of Ramadan, especially in the days preceding Eid Al-Fitr, indicating that this period of the year was considered one of the peak seasons as the markets witness a clear increase in the number of shoppers.

According to a survey by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Al-Baha region (south of the Kingdom) recorded a great demand in sweet shops, which are traditionally served on the morning of the holiday.

In western Saudi Arabia, in Jeddah, the popular markets called “Al-Balad Souks” witnessed a significant purchase movement, with the approaching Eid.

Customers see that the popular souks provide a variety of options, whether in prices or goods, compared to the major centers and markets.

Jewelry shops in Jeddah’s popular markets attract a large number of residents and visitors, who buy gold, ornaments, jewelry and accessories, while the owners of handicrafts and traditional industries master the manufacture of pottery, antiques and some other popular gifts.

Shops, centers and markets in the Tabuk region were dressed with joy and traditional decorations to welcome shoppers, with the start of the countdown to Eid Al-Fitr.

The residents flocked to the shops to buy the finest fragrances, incense and Oud, as part of a tradition to perfume homes to welcome visitors, relatives and friends.

Similarly, markets and commercial complexes in the cities of Arar and Hail (northern Saudi Arabia) witnessed an increasing demand for clothes, personal supplies, gifts, children’s toys, and others, in preparation for Eid al-Fitr.



GASTAT: Saudi Industrial Production Index Increases by 3.4% in November 2024

GASTAT publishes the IPI monthly. SPA
GASTAT publishes the IPI monthly. SPA
TT

GASTAT: Saudi Industrial Production Index Increases by 3.4% in November 2024

GASTAT publishes the IPI monthly. SPA
GASTAT publishes the IPI monthly. SPA

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) said Thursday that the Industrial Production Index (IPI) statistics for November 2024 showed a 3.4% increase compared to the same month of the previous year.

This increase is driven by growth in mining and quarrying, manufacturing, water supply, sewerage, and waste management and remediation activities, GASTAT said.

Furthermore, the sub-index of mining and quarrying activity increased by 1.2%, and the sub-index of manufacturing activity increased by 7.2%.

The sub-index of electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply activity recorded a decrease of 2.1%, and the sub-index of water supply, sewerage and waste management and remediation activities increased by 10.5%.

The IPI by main economic activities increased by 3.8% compared to the same month of the previous year, while the index of non-oil activities also increased by 2.4%.

GASTAT publishes the IPI monthly. It is an economic indicator that reflects the relative changes in the volume of industrial output. It is calculated based on the industrial production survey.