United Electronics Co. (eXtra) said Q3 2026 net profit fell about 27% to SAR 105 million from SAR 143 million. Profit in its consumer finance segment fell 82.4% as net impairment losses rose by SAR 70.1 million, including a SAR 8 million additional management provision to raise coverage and speed write-offs. Retail profit rose 10.6%, and revenue grew 5.5% to SAR 1.89 billion.
The retail business increased its profit by 10.6%, while consumer finance profit declined by 82.4%. This indicates that eXtra's quarterly results were driven by credit factors rather than consumer demand.
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What a visitor actually spends
Average trip spend among international visitors to Saudi Arabia surveyed in Visa's Global Travel Intentions Study reached SAR 10,405 ($2,774), with 54% of spending pre-booked and 46% taking place during the trip; accommodation accounted for 19% of spending, transportation 18%, food and beverages 17% and experiences 15%. US visitors recorded the highest average trip expenditure at SAR 21,530, followed by visitors from the UAE at SAR 14,046 and the UK at SAR 10,558, while 75% of respondents shopped during their stay and half said they used AI to find travel inspiration.
Destination marketers in Saudi should move budget into the pre-trip window where 54% of spending is committed and half of travellers now use AI for inspiration, rather than into arrival-stage campaigns.
A thousand ideas, four winners
The Start Smart competition concluded its 9th edition at LEAP 26 and launched its 10th, having drawn more than 1,000 submissions from which 40 ideas participated and 4 startups won: Nazra in healthcare data analytics, Findligent in smart retail, and ApolloByte in cloud design and Jamaa in collaborative commerce tied for third. Participants went through a 2-month training programme, and the tenth edition runs 4 tracks. The competition launched in 2016 and is organised by the Jameel Community Arabia Foundation with the National Program for Information Technology Development, the Digital Leadership Center and the Savola Foundation.
Receiving over 1,000 submissions and narrowing them to 40, then to 4, demonstrates an effective selection process. The primary value of a program like this lies in the top 40, rather than just the final winners.
Fifty-seven studies, three eighty-four recommendations
The Riyadh Economic Forum has produced 57 scientific studies and issued 384 recommendations and initiatives over its 11 previous editions, alongside 157 seminars and workshops, 122 discussion panels and 20 published bulletins across roughly 25 years. The 12th edition runs 12–14 October 2026, organised by the Riyadh Chamber under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, bringing together officials, decision-makers and economic experts from the Kingdom and the region.
Influence here comes from research rather than attendance, so a trade association preparing for the October edition should bring data instead of a delegation.
