Riyadh is fast becoming the next shopping capital of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, second only to Dubai. With so many shopping malls and souqs, there's no better place to find products at unbeatable prices. It is truly a tax free shopper's paradise that gives you more for your money. The capital city's numerous shopping malls cater to every consumer need, especially OFWs. Gadgets, haute couture clothing, jewelry, house furnishings, and any other goods will likely all be under the same roof. Retail prices are very reasonable, thanks to low import duties and the variety of food products from China, Germany, India, Egypt, Thailand to "gawang-Pinoy" that are available and virtually unrivalled. Free of tax, many top brand-name products are cheaper in Riyadh than in their countries of origin. Products, in all forms and sizes, can be bought for amazing deals that are unmatchable anywhere else in the world.
Souqs have been called "the heart of urban Arabia", and Riyadh has a good selection of them. It's thrilling to explore Riyadh's famous souqs. The bustling shopping community and traditional style of doing business by negotiating, keeps shoppers on their toes throughout the whole shopping experience. These are souqs of exotic spices, accessories, chocolates, carpets, and souvenirs located mostly Olaya road and in the most famous OFW market of all - the Manila Plaza in Al-Batha.
A trip down to the "gold accessories" souks will demonstrate why Riyadh has also earned the reputation as the 'City Of Gold Accessories'. The sheer scale and variety of gold accessories on offer (at marked down prices) will impress even the most seasoned shopaholic. Prices are very reasonable and largely determined by weight, rather than design and craftsmanship. This souq is worth a visit even if you have no intention of buying, just to soak in the atmosphere of the astounding affluence of this part of the world. From earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets and pendants, just about every conceivable kind of jewelry is on offer. Designs can be traditional or modern, bold or conservative, chunky or delicate. If you have it in mind, then it's definitely on display. To entice you further, many different shades of gems and gold are also available. Craftsmen can alter the composition of alloys in the gold to create pink, white, yellow or green hues in one piece. While purchasing accessories, don't forget that there is always room to bargain so don't accept the first price and be sure to shop around. Prices vary depending on whether the piece was made by a machine or a craftsman.
The spice souqs in Riyadh are home to a myriad of Arabic seasonings. Supermarket racks and corners are filled with spices imported from all over the Middle East and Asia, ranging from hot spices from India to sweet and salty dried fruit and nuts from Egypt and Pakistan. The spices are sold straight out of large open sacks and friendly shopkeepers are never too busy to introduce their best spice products to passersby. It is a perfect place to bag a gift or two for home.
In any street in Riyadh, you can literally find thousands of chocolate souqs, and even if you can't find the one that you want, shopkeepers would be able to conjure up a unique chocolate concoction that suits your taste exactly. Arabic chocolates are very strong, sweet, and elaborately packaged, in contrast to the light western chocolates. Bargaining and buying by bulk are the norms in all of the souqs but, bear in mind, that most of these souqs are closed in the morning and from 12 noon to 4 p.m.
Riyadh is also one of the best places, outside of Iran, to buy Persian carpets. A wide variety of carpets are available year round and the quality is judged by the type of dyes used, the number of knots, size as well as the family name of the makers of the carpet. The worth of each carpet is judged by the amount of knots that it has per square inch but silk carpets are considered valuable than the rest. The carpets from Iran are generally prices higher than those from Kashmir and Turkey. Another point of differentiation is that carpets with natural dyes are more desirable, hence more expensive as compared to the ones with artificial dyes. Apart from carpets, you can even find some lovely Turkish kilims, Turkoman, Kashmiri and Afghan rugs. Whenever you buy a rug you will be given a Certificate of Authentication, which ensures that your expensive carpet is actually worth its price. For a traveler, buying a carpet in Riyadh without getting ripped off takes great skill and patience. Do not feel embarrassed or obliged to buy just because the shop attendant has unrolled 40 carpets for you.
Since Riyadh is now starting to open its doors to the whole Arabic region and the world (the country is now a bona fide member of WTO), you can get the best bargain on all kinds of Arabian souvenirs. Typical souvenirs include postcards, coffeepots, metal platters, carved wooden or leather stuffed camels, woollen camel bags and the sheesha (water smoking pipe).