Saudi Arabia is planning to enforce earlier retail store closure hours during 2016, according to sources quoted by Okaz newspaper. The decision, which has been discussed since early 2014, will include some exceptions and is awaiting approval by the cabinet. The article added that there will be advance warning before the new hours are implemented. The decision also includes reducing working hours to 40 per week in an effort to bolster Saudisation. As with the shift in the kingdom’s weekend days, consumers will likely adjust shopping habits to accommodate for the reduced shopping hours over time, in our view. (Argaam, Hatem Alaa, Nada Amin)