Bahrain retail sales up 2pct in Q1 2025

Bahrain’s retail sales are expected to grow at a compound annual rate of about 3.1 per cent from 2023 to 2028, according to an Alpen Capital study on the GCC retail market. The firm says the wholesale and retail sector posted real growth of 2 per cent in the first quarter of 2025 and, drawing on its indicators and published state data, projects annual growth of roughly 3 per cent through 2028. A separate note on Gulfbase. com reports that wholesale and retail activity in Bahrain rose by 2 per cent year on year in 2025. The site says this points to continued improvement in commercial activity within the domestic economy.
Both sources cite similar drivers: rising household spending power, wider e-commerce use, and upgrades to retail infrastructure. They add that the spread of newer shopping centres and a deeper digital shift are expected to support growth in the years ahead. The analysis states that the next phase requires stronger digital systems across wholesale and retail, wider online marketing channels, and improved logistics and point-ofsale set-ups. Constraints remain. The reports list the small market size, regional competition, operating cost pressures, and global supply-chain factors as the main challenges.