Abdullah Al-Othaim Markets Expects Higher Costs from Upcoming Utility Hikes in Saudi Arabia

11:27 AM EDT, 10/29/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Abdullah Al-Othaim Markets (SASE:4001) expects higher annual operating costs for the company and its subsidiaries once increased tariffs for electricity, water, and sewage services in Saudi Arabia take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. Based on its initial assessment, the supermarket chain operator said Thursday it estimates total annual operating costs to increase by 0.5% of total revenue. The financial impact should begin to appear in the company's consolidated financial results in the first quarter of 2027. The company added that it is carrying out several initiatives to rationalize energy consumption and improve production and operational efficiency to help offset the higher costs.