RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s e-sales index increased by 9.8 percent in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year, supported by a 13.4 percent rise in retail trade, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

According to GASTAT’s Wholesale and Retail Trade Statistics Bulletin for Q2 2026, the operating revenue index increased by 3.2 percent year-on-year, while the employee compensation index rose by 9 percent. The increase was supported by a 10.8 percent rise in employee compensation within the retail trade sector.

Compared with the second quarter of 2025, the operating revenue index increased by 5.2 percent in retail trade, 2.7 percent in motor vehicle sales and repair, and 0.8 percent in wholesale trade excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles.

On a quarterly basis, however, the operating revenue index declined by 0.6 percent compared with the first quarter of 2026.

The e-sales index increased by 6.5 percent in wholesale trade and 2.4 percent in motor vehicle sales and repair on a year-on-year basis.

Compared with the first quarter of 2026, e-sales also recorded quarterly growth of 1.1 percent in retail trade, 0.3 percent in wholesale trade and 0.1 percent in motor vehicle sales and repair.

The car sales index increased by 0.6 percent compared with the second quarter of 2025 and rose by 0.9 percent compared with the previous quarter.

GASTAT’s Wholesale and Retail Trade Statistics Bulletin provides short-term economic indicators used to track and assess the performance of Saudi Arabia’s wholesale and retail trade sector.

Source:Saudi Gazette