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RIYADH: Saudia, Alrajhi Bank, and Albaik are the top three most persuasive brands in ������Ƶ when it comes to getting people to buy their products, according to a new survey. 

A report from market research and data analytics firm YouGov analyzed shopping attitudes in the Kingdom and compiled a list of companies leading in convincing consumers to spend on their brands. 

The analysis found that retail banks, beauty firms, and telecoms and handset providers are the most successful at converting people who would consider buying their products into those who intend to do so.  

According to the report, Saudia topped all brands across every category, with 72 percent of respondents intending to use the airline once it was considered as an option. 

Alrajhi Bank came second with a conversion rate of 70 percent, followed by Albaik at 65 percent, Almarai at 65 percent, and Apple at 62 percent.  

Toyota followed with a conversion rate of 55 percent, while Samsung and Hilton recorded conversion rates of 49 percent and 47 percent, respectively, once customers began considering their products. 

The survey also found that Huda Beauty has a conversion rate of 45 percent, followed by Dior Beauty at 43 percent. 

Category breakdown  

Among non-carbonated beverage brands, Almarai secured the top spot among Saudi buyers, followed by Saudia, Nadec, Lipton Ice Tea, and Nova. 

Almarai’s top position comes just months after the company signed an agreement to acquire Pure Beverages Industry Co. for SR1.04 billion ($277 million), aiming to diversify its offerings and strengthen its market position. 

Pure Beverages Industry Co. is a bottled drinking water producer in the Kingdom, known for its “Ival” and “Oska” brands. 

In the retail banking category, Alrajhi Bank is the most successful at converting customers considering its services into those who intend to use them. 

Alrajhi Bank is followed by Saudi Awwal Bank, Saudi National Bank, Alinma Bank, and Riyad Bank. 

In September, Alrajhi Bank earned an “AA” rating from MSCI’s global environmental, social, and governance benchmark, becoming the only financial institution in ������Ƶ to achieve this distinction. 

The recognition also placed the financial institution among the top five banks worldwide with an “AA” or higher ESG rating, underscoring its leadership in sustainable practices.  

Among beauty brands, Huda Beauty garnered the top spot for conversions, while Dior Beauty, Mac Beauty, Chanel Beauty, and Makeup Forever Beauty made up the remaining popular companies in the segment. 

With a conversion rate of 38 percent, Amazon was named the most persuasive retailer in the Kingdom, followed by Al Othaim, Panda, Lulu Hypermarket, and Shein.  

Apple topped the list among consumer electronics and appliances brands, with Samsung, Huawei, LG and PlayStation grabbing the remaining slots in the top five list.  

Albaik was named the most persuasive brand in the dining, restaurants and eateries category. Other entrants in the list include Hungerstation, McDonald’s, Al Tazaj, and KFC.  

According to YouGov, Toyota is the most persuasive vehicle brand among Saudi customers, followed by Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Lexus, and BMW.  

Among hotels and resorts, Hilton topped the list, while the remaining entrants included InterContinental, Movenpick, Hyatt, and Ritz-Carlton.  

Saudia was named the most persuasive travel and airline brand among Saudi customers, followed by Egypt Air, flynas, Emirates, and Almosafer.  

Affinity toward home-made brands 

According to the YouGov survey, six out of 10 residents in ������Ƶ prefer to buy products made in their home country.  

The report revealed that 63 percent of the survey participants aged above 55 prefer products made in ������Ƶ.  

Among people aged from 18 to 24, 58 percent prefer buying homemade products, and this figure rises to 60 percent among people between the ages of 25 and 34, and 61 percent among 35- to 44-year-olds.  

The report further said that 58 percent of the participants between the ages of 45 to 54 prefer buying products made in the Kingdom. 

JEDDAH: Arab energy companies posted record net profits of over $280 million in 2024 — their highest ever — driven by strong business volumes and strategic initiatives, according to the Arab Energy Organization. 

The achievement reflects the resilience of Arab energy firms amid volatile markets and follows efforts to modernize operations and strengthen coordination across member states, said Secretary-General Jamal Al-Loughani during the opening of the organization’s 54th Annual Coordinating Meeting. 

He stressed the importance of providing necessary support to foster growth, enhance prosperity, and achieve their founding objectives, the Kuwait News Agency, or KUNA, reported. 

“Al-Loughani underscored the need to build on previous meetings and their positive outcomes, moving toward a new phase that opens avenues for cooperation among affiliated companies and with national companies of a similar nature and activity in member states,” KUNA reported. 

The official commended the companies’ efforts, describing them as a catalyst for deeper Arab cooperation.  He highlighted their “pivotal and constructive role” in fostering collaboration and creating opportunities to strengthen the petroleum industry across member states, despite challenges arising from regional and global market conditions. 

Al-Loughani also highlighted the “continuous and constructive” communication maintained between the General Secretariat and the affiliated firms through designated liaison officers, KUNA reported. 

During the meeting, representatives of the organization’s affiliated companies reviewed major activities for 2024 and the first half of 2025, including commercial and technical operations, financial results, human resources activities, and training programs.  

They also presented several plans and projects aimed at enhancing performance, adapting to current market fluctuations, and maximizing revenue. 

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Co., or ASRY, the Arab Energy Fund, the Arab Petroleum Services Co., the Arab Drilling and Workover Co., and the Arab Well Logging and Well Services Co. 

The Arab Energy Organization, formerly known as the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries, was restructured and renamed in December following a Saudi-led proposal to broaden its mandate beyond oil to cover the wider energy sector. 

������Ƶ’s ACWA Power, a major renewable energy firm and one of the region’s key players, reported a 2024 net profit of SR1.75 billion ($466 million), up 5.7 percent year on year, underscoring the Arab energy sector’s gradual shift toward sustainable growth.