The biggest sales season in the Kingdom has begun
The Saudi Ministry of Commerce has announced the start of the Ramadan sales season for the year 1447 AH, which officially begins on the 13th of Sha'ban, corresponding to February 1, 2026. This exceptional season will run for 54 days, ending on the 7th of Shawwal, corresponding to March 26, 2026, offering consumers an unprecedented opportunity to shop and take advantage of offers that include all Ramadan goods and products, as well as Eid al-Fitr necessities.
Background and importance of the Ramadan commercial season
The holy month of Ramadan is a peak consumer period in Saudi Arabia and many other Muslim countries. Historically, this month sees a surge in demand for food, clothing, gifts, and Eid necessities, creating pressure on markets in the days leading up to Eid. Recognizing this dynamic, the Ministry of Commerce launched this extended shopping season to regulate the purchasing process and encourage consumers to plan ahead and spread their purchases over a longer period, thus helping to avoid overcrowding and improve the overall shopping experience for everyone.
Economic goals and consumer support
The 54-day season aims to achieve several strategic objectives. First, it encourages consumers to shop early and avoid last-minute rushes. Second, it seeks to stimulate commercial activity and support the retail sector, a key pillar of the non-oil national economy, in line with the goals of Vision 2030. The season also ensures the availability of goods at competitive prices, easing the financial burden on families during a period when expenses naturally increase.
Digital facilities for commercial establishments
As part of the Kingdom's digital transformation, the Ministry has enabled commercial establishments and online stores to apply for discount licenses entirely electronically through the sales.mc.gov.sa . This procedure aims to empower business owners to obtain licenses easily and quickly, print them, and present them to consumers without using up any days from their annual discount quota, thus giving them greater flexibility in planning their promotional campaigns.
Consumer protection and ensuring transparency in offers
To safeguard consumer rights and enhance market confidence, the Ministry has implemented an innovative verification mechanism. Consumers can now verify the legitimacy and validity of discounts by scanning the QR code displayed on the discount permit using their mobile phone camera. Upon scanning, all permit-related data is displayed, including the type and percentage of the discount, its duration, and the establishment's information. This prevents deceptive offers and ensures complete transparency. The Ministry emphasized the continuation of its intensive inspection tours of commercial establishments across all regions of the Kingdom to verify and monitor the legitimacy of discounts and ensure compliance with regulations.
