Saudi Arabia has introduced new regulations barring small grocery shops, locally known as baqalas, from selling tobacco, fruits, vegetables, dates, and meat as part of a broad overhaul of the retail sector.
The directive, announced by Majed Al-Hogail, Minister of Municipalities and Housing, took immediate effect on Tuesday, with a six-month grace period for existing shops to comply, reports Gulf News.
Under the new regulations, baqalas and kiosks cannot sell regular and electronic cigarettes, shisha, dates, fresh produce, or meat — products now restricted to larger retail outlets like supermarkets and hypermarkets. The sale of meat will also require a separate licence.
However, the revised rules do permit baqalas to sell items such as charger cables and prepaid recharge cards.
In addition, the ministry set new size requirements: a minimum floor area of 24 square metres for baqalas, 100 square metres for supermarkets, and 500 square metres for hypermarkets.
The measures aim to reorganise the grocery sector by creating clearer distinctions between different types of retail businesses and tightening health and safety standards.