The Saudi Ministry of Commerce has announced the launch of its annual Ramadan sales season, a proactive step aimed at regulating the market and meeting the increased consumer demand before and during the holy month of Ramadan and the Eid al-Fitr holiday. The season is scheduled to officially begin next Sunday, corresponding to 13 Sha'ban 1447 AH (February 1, 2026), and will run for 54 consecutive days, concluding on 7 Shawwal 1447 AH (March 26, 2026).

General context and the commercial and cultural importance of the season

This announcement comes in light of the significant cultural and economic importance of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia. The holy month is a peak period for commercial activity, with consumer spending rising considerably. Saudi families prepare for Ramadan by purchasing a wide range of goods, from food and Ramadan beverages to new clothes, gifts, and Eid necessities. Organized sales seasons have become an integral part of these annual preparations, eagerly anticipated by consumers who take advantage of special offers and ease the financial burden on their household budgets.

Details of the initiative and its expected impact

The ministry explained that this extended period of discounts, which includes both traditional retail outlets and online stores, primarily aims to encourage consumers to plan their purchases in advance and shop early. This initiative is expected to help avoid the heavy congestion that markets typically experience in the days leading up to Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, thus providing a more comfortable and safer shopping experience for everyone. Economically, the initiative is anticipated to stimulate sales in the retail sector, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and foster healthy competition among retailers to offer the best deals and prices.

A regulatory mechanism to protect consumer rights

To streamline procedures for shop owners, the Ministry clarified that obtaining discount permits is done electronically through its official website. A key advantage is that the days of this season are not counted towards the annual discount allowance for each establishment. As part of its efforts to ensure the transparency of offers and protect consumers from deceptive discounts, the Ministry emphasized the ease with which any discount can be verified. Consumers can scan the QR code on the discount permit using their mobile phone camera to instantly view all permit details, including the discount percentage, duration, and the licensed establishment's information.

The ministry stressed that it will intensify its monitoring and inspection tours in all regions of the Kingdom throughout the season, to ensure everyone’s compliance with regulations and rules, to monitor any violations, and to take the necessary measures to protect consumer rights and enhance confidence in the local shopping environment.

The Saudi Arabian Real Estate Registry announced today (Wednesday) the launch of the “Real Estate Registry – Business Portal,” a significant step in the digital transformation of the real estate sector. This portal is a comprehensive digital platform specifically designed to serve the business sector, including real estate developers, companies, and financing entities, with the aim of enabling partnerships with the private sector and enhancing the efficiency of real estate wealth management.

Strategic background within Vision 2030

The launch of this portal comes within the broader context of the Kingdom's efforts to achieve the goals of Vision 2030, which places digital transformation and the regulation of vital sectors at the heart of its priorities. The real estate sector has long been one of the most important pillars of the national economy, and it has witnessed major regulatory initiatives in recent years to increase its transparency and reliability. Establishing the Real Estate Registry itself is a pivotal step towards creating a unified and reliable record of real estate ownership, thus eliminating the challenges of traditional documentation and ushering in a new era of accuracy and efficiency. The "Business" portal falls under the "Easier" Real Estate Registry strategy, which aims to build a sophisticated digital infrastructure that serves all stakeholders.

The importance of the portal and its expected impact

The launch of the “Aamal” portal is expected to have a positive and tangible impact on the investment environment in the Saudi real estate sector. Domestically, the portal will expedite real estate procedures, reduce reliance on paperwork, and provide companies with accurate and up-to-date data in real time. This will boost investor confidence and encourage further capital investment in major real estate projects. Regionally and internationally, this step positions the Saudi real estate market among the world’s leading markets that leverage technology to ensure transparency and protect rights, making it more attractive to foreign direct investment.

Integrated services and a unique digital experience

The CEO of the Real Estate Registry, Dr. Mohammed Al-Sulaiman, explained that the portal represents a key milestone in the Registry's strategic priorities, providing a seamless and secure user experience. The portal offers a comprehensive suite of services, including the management of real estate rights and transactions, transaction records, and access to interactive maps and official documents. It also enables API integration with internal systems of various entities, account and authorization management, and electronic billing and payment services. To ensure a superior experience, dedicated relationship managers will be assigned to support the needs of each beneficiary, reflecting the Real Estate Registry's commitment to providing innovative solutions that meet the requirements of the private sector and support its sustainable growth.