Saudi-Retail clothing market grows to be a SR10 bn a year industry

The Kingdom’s clothing retail sector has shown considerable development over the past two years since more and more Saudis are being drawn to fashion. The clothing retail sector has turned out to be a SR10 billion a year industry, according to Mohammed Al-Shahri textile and clothing committee chairman at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI).

International companies are also using exhibitions as a way to approach Saudi shoppers. Designers are keen on making clothes and accessories as it is considered to be a profitable business despite the initial challenges. Earlier the industry had been monopolized by fewer companies but now individuals have started entering this market.

Jeddah’s malls and shopping centers were very crowded ahead of Eid where both men and women found themselves victims of enormous price hikes which prevented them from enjoying shopping before Eid. The prices of certain commodities had even doubled.

The shoppers have urged the Trade Ministry to put in place a system to monitor prices and stop merchants from raising prices as and when they wish.
As majority of families unfortunately cannot do shopping as they only get paid after the 20th of each month leaving them with little time to do their holiday shopping’.