Participation in Saudi Lifestyle Week Highlights SGS Role in Guiding Brands Through SASO Conformity Requirements

Participation in Saudi Lifestyle Week Highlights SGS Role in Guiding Brands Through SASO Conformity Requirements

(IN BRIEF) SGS participated in the first Saudi Lifestyle Week (SLW) in Riyadh, a major new exhibition connecting international lifestyle and textile brands with Saudi Arabia’s expanding retail market. SLW 2025 welcomed more than 100 exhibitors, with strong representation from European countries, and provided a premium B2B environment for brands exploring market entry in the Kingdom. SGS used the event to advise companies on product conformity requirements under SASO’s SALEEM/SABER program, emphasising the importance of early testing and certification to avoid delays and ensure regulatory compliance. With Saudi Arabia’s retail market projected to grow from USD 282 billion in 2024 to USD 403 billion by 2033, SGS highlighted how streamlined conformity assessment can support successful scaling. The company’s engagement at SLW also underscored the growing demand for PCA expertise among international brands aiming to expand into Saudi Arabia’s vibrant lifestyle and fashion sectors. Additional insights and regulatory updates are available in SGS’s PCA Newsletter (Q4/2025).

(PRESS RELEASE) BAAR, 11-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — SGS took part in the inaugural Saudi Lifestyle Week (SLW) 2025, held in Riyadh from October 6 to 8, marking its debut as one of the most influential textile and lifestyle trade events in the region. Positioned as a major multisector platform, the exhibition brought together international fashion, sportswear and design brands with Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving retail landscape, drawing significant attention from both global manufacturers and local industry leaders.

The first edition of SLW hosted more than 100 exhibitors, attracting strong participation from European markets including Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany and the United Kingdom. The event showcased a thoughtfully curated blend of well-known European labels and emerging designers, reinforcing SLW’s role as a premium B2B meeting point where international lifestyle brands can engage directly with Saudi retailers and distributors.

Expanding opportunities in a fast-growing market

With Saudi Arabia’s retail sector expanding at remarkable speed—estimated at USD 282 billion in 2024 and projected to reach USD 403 billion by 2033—the Kingdom remains an increasingly attractive destination for consumer brands seeking new growth. However, successful entry requires full compliance with the country’s regulatory framework.

Under the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) and its SALEEM/SABER program, a wide range of regulated goods—including textiles, footwear, leather products and sporting goods—must meet specific technical regulations and obtain both product and shipment Certificates of Conformity (CoC) prior to customs clearance.

Events like SLW provide brands with access not only to commercial opportunities but also to critical regulatory knowledge, helping them navigate the complexities of market entry in Saudi Arabia.

SGS at SLW 2025

SGS used its presence at SLW 2025 to support companies in understanding the product conformity assessment (PCA) process and to demonstrate how early-stage integration of testing and certification can accelerate time-to-market. By embedding compliance from the outset, brands can avoid delays, protect brand integrity and scale efficiently across Saudi Arabia’s dynamic retail ecosystem.

The exhibition proved to be a high-value networking environment, attracting strong interest from European brands examining expansion or distribution opportunities in the Kingdom. SGS highlighted the essential role of robust conformity strategies for securing long-term, sustainable growth in Saudi Arabia’s lifestyle and retail sectors.

Readers interested in regulatory updates can explore SGS insights on Saudi Arabia – SASO Certificate of Conformity, as well as the full collection of articles in the PCA Newsletter (Q4/2025), which covers global developments related to technical barriers to trade and conformity assessment.

Media contacts:

Eugenia Smetanina
Key Account Manager
Trade Facilitation Services
+34 626924365

Sa’aed Qasem
Regional Business Manager
Trade Facilitation Services
+966 562336140

SOURCE: SGS