Walk through a modern mall in Riyadh or a conference center in Jeddah, and you’ll spot quite a few custom kiosks. More than screens, they are helpers, silent salespeople, and guides. Custom kiosks are popping up everywhere in Saudi Arabia’s major hubs, and they are actively solving problems and creating new experiences.
Forget the idea of a generic, one-size-fits-all machine. The real magic happens when these kiosks are built for a specific purpose, tailored to the business and the expectations of its customers. Let’s look at the industries in Riyadh and Jeddah that are using custom kiosks to make a big impact.
1. Retail:
The retail sector in Saudi Arabia is very fast-paced. Customers know what they want, and they appreciate a smooth, direct process. Custom kiosks are answering that call in brilliant ways.
• Click-and-Collect & Easy Returns: Major retail chains in malls are using kiosks as dedicated pickup points. Instead of waiting in long lineups at a busy counter, customers can simply scan a code at a kiosk. An attendant is notified and brings their pre-paid order in moments. The same goes for returns. A quick kiosk interaction can process a return and issue a refund without ever needing to stand in the main checkout queue.
• Endless Aisles: Ever found your size is out of stock? A custom kiosk on the shop floor lets a customer browse the entire online catalogue, place an order, and have it shipped directly to their home. This turns a potential disappointment into a sure sale.
• Beauty and Personal Care: In cosmetics stores, interactive kiosks with large screens allow customers to virtually "try on" different shades of lipstick or eyeshadow. This fun interaction keeps people engaged longer and gives them the confidence to make a purchase.
2. Hospitality & Tourism:
Riyadh, a booming business capital, and Jeddah, a gateway for pilgrims and tourists, host millions of guests each year. The hospitality industry is using kiosks to roll out the red carpet more efficiently.
• Streamlined Hotel Check-In: After a long flight, the last thing a guest wants is a 20-minute wait at the front desk. Luxury and business hotels now feature self-service check-in kiosks. Guests can select their room, print key cards, and get directions to the elevator, all in a few minutes and in their preferred language.
• Tourist Information Hubs: Standalone kiosks in airport arrival halls or popular tourist spots provide maps, suggest attractions, and offer information about cultural events. They act as a 24/7 digital concierge, helping visitors make the most of their stay.
3. Food & Beverage:
The F&B sector thrives on speed and accuracy. From fast-food giants in Jeddah’s Corniche to trendy cafes in Riyadh’s Diriyah, kiosks are changing the way people order food.
• Upselling with Ease: A custom kiosk is a master of suggestion. When you order a burger, it can intuitively ask if you’d like to add a side of fries or a larger drink. This improves the average order value and gives the customer control over customising their meal without the pressure of a line behind them.
• Reducing Order Errors: How many times has a spoken order been misunderstood? With a kiosk, customers see their exact selections on a screen before paying. This leads to fewer mistakes and happier diners.
• Multilingual Menus: For a city with as diverse a population as Jeddah, kiosks can display menus in multiple languages, making the ordering process comfortable and clear for everyone.
4. Healthcare:
Hospitals and clinics are places where clarity and efficiency matter most. Custom kiosks are being integrated to handle administrative tasks, letting medical staff focus on patient care.
• Simplified Check-Ins: Patients can use a kiosk to check in for their appointment, update their personal information, and complete any necessary pre-visit forms. This cuts down on paperwork and waiting room congestion.
• Wayfinding in Large Complexes: Major medical centers in Riyadh can feel like a maze. Interactive directory kiosks help patients and visitors find the right clinic, pharmacy, or laboratory without confusion, reducing stress on an already difficult day.
5. Government and Public Services:
The Saudi government is dedicated to improving access to its services. Custom kiosks are a physical extension of this digital-first approach.
• Self-Service Government Kiosks: Located in public areas, these kiosks allow citizens to perform various tasks like printing official documents, paying bills, or requesting certain municipal services without having to visit a government office. This saves people valuable time and streamlines operations.
• Event Registration and Ticketing: At large public events or exhibitions, kiosks act as self-service ticketing booths for last-minute registrations or printing pre-purchased passes, keeping entry lines moving quickly.
It’s All About the Right Fit
The success of these kiosks in Riyadh and Jeddah does not come from the technology alone. It comes from a deep understanding of a specific need. A kiosk designed for a busy hotel lobby will be different from one built for a quiet hospital waiting room.
The most successful businesses see these units not as machines, but as part of their team; a team member that works around the clock, never gets tired, and consistently delivers a smooth, modern experience that today’s customers in Saudi Arabia have come to expect. This is not about replacing the human touch, but freeing up human talent to handle the complex, personal interactions that truly build loyalty. In Riyadh and Jeddah, the custom kiosk has certainly found its place.
Get Your Custom Kiosk Designed by Brand Options
Since 2004, Brand Options has grown from a small team of fewer than five people into a leading kiosk manufacturer in UAE and KSA, with a workforce of over 250 experts. Over the years, we’ve enhanced our capabilities and streamlined our processes to deliver top-quality solutions to our clients. As an ISO-certified company, we are committed to maintaining quality in everything we do, from creative designs to outstanding customer support. Contact us at +966 (56) 651 1645 or email us at info@brandoptionsksa.com to bring your brand’s ideas to life.