Sa'udi Arabia - Domestic trade



Jeddah and Riyadh are the commercial and business centers of the country. Most major cities host large, modern supermarkets and specialty retail stores offering wide verities of goods and services. Franchising has become popular with a wide range of goods and service-based establishments. Barter is the traditional means by which nomads and farmers have obtained each other's products, and weekly markets are held in villages and small towns. However, the economy is being progressively monetized and is now completely so in the towns and cities. Newspapers, magazines, and billboards are the principal means of advertising.

Normal business hours vary in different provinces but are usually from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM and 2:30 to 8 PM , Saturday through Wednesday. The normal workday is eight hours; during the month of Ramadan, however, the workday is limited to six hours. Banks are generally open from 8:30 AM to 12 noon and 5 to 7 PM , Saturday through Wednesday, and 8:30 to 11:30 AM , Thursday. Friday is the day of rest in Sa'udi Arabia. Most businesses, including stores and restaurants, take breaks at the designated Muslim prayer times, which are spaced at five times throughout the day. These breaks generally last for about a half an hour each.

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