Cenomi Retail posted a modest uptick in revenue for the first half of the year as gains across international markets and a strengthening digital footprint helped balance ongoing domestic pressures and the costs of a broad transformation strategy.

Saudi Arabia is emerging as the GCC’s leader in online fashion and beauty, driven by high local demand and a digitally native consumer base.

BNPL is transforming online retail in Saudi Arabia, now powering over 20% of e-commerce transactions and reshaping consumer habits across the Kingdom.

Apple has officially opened the doors to its online store in Saudi Arabia, offering consumers in the Kingdom direct access to the company’s products and services for the first time, complete with full Arabic language support and localized retail features.

Cenomi Retail will sell nearly 50% of its shares to UAE-based Al-Futtaim for over SAR 2.5 billion, introducing a major strategic investor into Saudi Arabia’s retail sector. The deal includes a SAR 1.3 billion loan to support Cenomi’s growth and financial strength.

Salini Saudi Arabia, a subsidiary of Italy’s Webuild Group, has been awarded a $600 million contract by Diriyah Company to construct the main retail zone of Diriyah Square, a central component of one of Saudi Arabia’s most significant cultural and commercial developments.

LuLu Retail has further strengthened its presence in Saudi Arabia with the grand opening of a new hypermarket in Jeddah’s Al-Baghdadiyah Al-Gharbiyah district.

Majid Al Futtaim has entered a new chapter in its digital advertising strategy, joining forces with Ritelo, the retail media arm of ArabyAds, in a bid to redefine how brands connect with consumers across Carrefour’s operations in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

In a move that reinforces Saudi Arabia’s growing commitment to renewable energy, grocery giant Tamimi Markets has partnered with Yellow Door Energy to install rooftop solar systems at key distribution hubs across the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia’s retail sector is transforming as malls shift from traditional shopping centers to immersive lifestyle hubs that blend entertainment, dining, and experiential retail.

AliExpress has joined forces with Saudi retail heavyweight Al Othaim Markets in a new venture aimed at reshaping grocery shopping in the Kingdom.

Jadwa Investment has acquired a majority share in Makhazen Alenaya, a rising player in Saudi Arabia’s beauty and personal care market, as part of a broader push to invest in high-growth consumer businesses across the Gulf.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are seeing a surge in consumer spending, driven by a potent combination of digital transformation, shifting retail dynamics, and evolving shopper preferences that increasingly split between value and premium choices.

The retail industry is standing at the edge of a profound transformation. Over the next five to ten years, shifts in consumer behavior, rapid technological progress, and economic pressures will continue to reshape how retailers operate.

Saudi Arabia’s appetite for online shopping continues to climb at a rapid pace, with digital sales through Mada cards rising by more than half in April compared to the same time last year, according to new figures from the Saudi Central Bank.