Overview
Saudi Arabia has enacted immediate regulations banning the sale of dates, meat, fruit, vegetables, and tobacco products in small grocery stores, aiming to reorganize the retail sector and enhance public health and safety.
Details of the New Ban
- The regulation applies to baqalas (small grocery stores) and kiosks nationwide.
- Affected products include regular and electronic cigarettes, shisha, dates, fruit, vegetables, and meat.
- Only supermarkets and hypermarkets may continue selling these items; meat sales require a special license.
Implementation Timeline and Exemptions
- The rules take effect immediately, with a six-month grace period for existing stores to comply.
- Supermarkets and hypermarkets are allowed to sell the banned products if meeting relevant licensing requirements.
Retail Sector Requirements
- Minimum size requirements are introduced: 24 square metres for grocery stores, 100 square metres for supermarkets, and 500 square metres for hypermarkets.
- All retail formats may sell charger cables and prepaid recharge cards.
Decisions
- Immediate enforcement of the sale ban on dates, meat, fruit, vegetables, and tobacco products in small groceries and kiosks.
- Meat sales in supermarkets/hypermarkets require licensing under the new regulations.
Action Items
- 27 December 2025 – All existing small grocery stores: Comply with new product sale restrictions or cease selling the specified items.