‘Street vendor’ to be rechristened ‘mobile merchant’

RIYADH — There won’t be ‘street vendors’ any more on Saudi streets. Instead, they will be replaced by ‘mobile merchants’! The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has adopted the new term ‘mobile merchants’ as a replacement for ‘street vendors.’This is within the updated requirements brought about by the ministry to enhance the urban landscape, regulate this random activity, empower its practitioners in Saudi cities, and create a regulated environment for self-employment. This is achieved by raising compliance levels, reducing random practices, and providing an organized environment that supports micro-investment.According to the ministry, the new update demonstrates a clear shift from the previous regulatory framework to a more integrated model. It includes developing definitions, expanding the scope of activities, linking licenses to the merchant themselves rather than their location, and strengthening operational and technical requirements, including safety, hygiene, electronic payment, and improving the customer experience.The ministry emphasized that the update of the requirements and the adoption of the new name came after considering the input of the mayoralties and municipalities, which contributed to building a more precise and flexible regulatory framework. This framework addresses existing challenges, keeps pace with market needs, and enhances the efficiency of regulating the activity, thereby strengthening its economic, regulatory, and urban impact.Princess Najoud bint Hathloul, general supervisor of the Mobile Trader Support, Development, and Empowerment Team at the ministry, said that adopting the new name reflects a shift in the perception of the activity from a traditional concept previously associated with randomness to an organized economic activity with a professional and investment dimension. This contributes to empowering individuals and enhancing their participation in the urban economy.