Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has banned the grocery stores (baqalas) from the sale of tobacco, dates, meat, fruit and vegetables. This directive is among the new regulations issued by Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail.

The decision will take effect immediately. However, the existing establishments will be granted a correction period of no more than six months from now.

According to the new regulations, kiosks and grocery stores or mini markets are no longer allowed to sell dates, meat, fruit and vegetables, as well as tobacco products, including regular and electronic cigarettes, and shisha. All these products are allowed to sell in supply stores (super markets) with a condition that the sale of meat requires a separate license.

The amended regulations stipulate that the sale of all these products are allowed in hypermarkets. The amendments also allow the sale of charger cables and prepaid recharge cards in grocery stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets.

The new regulations also stipulate that the minimum floor space for grocery stores is 24 square meters, while the minimum floor space for supermarkets is 100 square meters, and the minimum floor space for hypermarkets is 500 square meters.