Abdullah Al-Othaim

Abdullah Saleh Al Othaim
عبد الله صالح العثيم
Born1960 (age 65–66)
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
CitizenshipSaudi Arabian
OccupationsChairman of Abdullah Al-Othaim Markets and Al Othaim Holding Company
Years active1980–present
Known forFounder of Abdullah Al-Othaim Markets
Websitewww.othaimholding.com

Abdullah Saleh Ali Al-Othaim (Arabic: عبد الله العثيم) is a Saudi businessman and one of the largest investors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Forbes magazine ranked him in 2015 in the 61st position among the richest in the Arab world with a wealth of US$445.47 million, and 18th among the richest in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.[1][2] Islamica magazine ranked him within the list of the 500 most powerful Muslims in the world.[3] The Othaim retail empire is estimated at billions of dollars.[4]

Al-Othaim is one of the most prominent traders in foodstuffs and consumer goods in the Kingdom, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Othaim Holding Company and its subsidiaries.[5] Abdullah Al-Othaim Markets is the second-largest supermarket chain in Saudi Arabia in terms of sales after Panda, which belongs to the Savola Group.[6][7] In his capacity as chairman, his aggressive expansion in the markets, multi-format operations and attractive pricing policy have together consolidated the strength of the company.[8] The retailer aims to benefit from the Walmart store model and introduce discounted prices to the Saudi Arabian market, which has traditionally been known for small commercial stores.

Forbes’ 2025 rankings placed Abdullah Al-Othaim at No. 1462 on the World's Billionaires list,[9] and 17th on the list of the world's richest Arabs.[10]

Biography and Life

Early life

Abdullah Al-Othaim was born in the city of Riyadh in 1960 (1380 AH). He is one of the sons of Sheikh Saleh Al-Othaim, who in 1956 (1376 AH) established one of the most important national economic institutions, investing in retail trade, the gold and jewellery industry, and other sectors.[11][12][13] Al-Othaim received his primary education in Riyadh schools, then joined the Scientific Institute in Riyadh. His father introduced him at an early age to the love of commerce and to fundamentals of the trade, particularly in foodstuffs.[14][15]

Professional achievements

Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Othaim leads Al Othaim Holding Company and chairs its Board of Directors.[4] The company is an extension of Saleh Al-Othaim Trading Establishment, which was founded in 1956 by the late Saleh Al-Othaim,[16] when the establishment opened its first site in the heart of the commercial area at the time in Hilat Al-Qusman in Al-Batha, Riyadh; the firm specialised in the foodstuff trade.[17]

In 1980, Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Othaim continued the commercial work his father had started, expanding the business by opening additional commercial centres and markets for wholesale and retail sales.[18][19][20] The name of Al Othaim Holding Company emerged as one of the most important Saudi companies in the supermarket industry and consumer wholesale.[21] The company continued to provide an innovative marketing experience through competitive prices and distinguished services, leading the industry by establishing qualitative concepts in dealing with customers and suppliers, and introducing new technologies in retail and wholesale trade through its branches spread across the Kingdom.[22]

After these successes, the company started new activities, all complementary to the previous ones, including the entertainment industry, the establishment of commercial complexes, and real-estate investment.[23] In 2000, Al-Othaim Establishment was converted into a limited-liability company.[24] Al-Othaim Trading Company was subsequently separated into three companies: Abdullah Al-Othaim Markets Company, which specialises in the retail trade of foodstuffs and was listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in 2008;[25][26] Abdullah Al-Othaim Real Estate Investment Company, which operates in the management, planning, marketing and operation of large commercial complexes under the Al-Othaim Mall brand; and Al Othaim Holding Company, which owns the largest stake in the previous two companies.[27]

  • He possesses experience exceeding 40 years in the operational and administrative fields. Chairman and member of the Board of Directors of several investment, industrial and charitable companies, including: Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qassim Chamber of Commerce and Industry.[28]

Most Important Companies He Owns

  • Al Othaim Holding Company.
  • Abdullah Al Othaim Markets Company.
  • Abdullah Al Othaim Real Estate Investment and Development Company (owner of the Al Othaim Mall chain at the level of the Kingdom).
  • Abdullah Al Othaim Entertainment Company.[11][5][25]

Leadership and Administrative Positions

  • Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Othaim Holding Company.
  • Chairman of the Board of Directors of Abdullah Al Othaim Markets Company.
  • Chairman of the Board of Directors of Abdullah Al Othaim Investment Company.
  • Member of the Board of Directors of the Arab Union for Real Estate Development Company.
  • Former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce in the Qassim Region.
  • Former Chairman of the Friends of the Saudi Red Crescent Committee in the Qassim Region.[29]

Professional Memberships

Social Memberships

  • Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Othaim and Sons Charitable Foundation.
  • Former Member of the board of directors of Charitable Association for Orphan Care in the Riyadh Region (Insan).[28]
  • Founding Member of the Board of Directors of the King Salman Charitable Housing Project.
  • Founding Member of the Board of Directors of the (Waqaia) Association for Combating Drugs.
  • Member of the King Salman Center for Disability Research.[32]
  • Member of the King Abdulaziz and His Men Foundation for Gifted Care.[32]
  • Member of the Board of Directors of the Charitable Association for Combating Smoking.[33][30]

Awards

He received the Basma Award, a branch of Giving, in 2022.[34][35][36]

See Also

References

  1. ↑ East, Forbes Middle. "The world richest Arabs 2015". Forbes ME. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  2. ↑ "Revealed: Top 100 richest Arabs in the world". Gulf News: Latest UAE news, Dubai news, Business, travel news, Dubai Gold rate, prayer time, cinema. 2015-04-06. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  3. ↑ "السعودية تقدم للعالم 33 شخصية بين «الأكثر تأثيراً» في صياغة الاقتصاد الإسلامي". www.al-jazirah.com. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  4. 1 2 saim. "Abdullah Al Othaim". Forbes Lists. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  5. 1 2 "Al Othaim Holding". othaim.com.sa. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  6. ↑ "Abdullah Al-Othaim Markets". MEED. 27 July 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ↑ Manhom. "Abdullah Al-Othaim Markets". Manhom | Personalities and Institutions Portal. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  8. ↑ ArgaamPlus. "Al Othaim launches strategic plan for retail business in Saudi Arabia until 2026". ArgaamPlus. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  9. ↑ "Abdullah Al Othaim". Forbes. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
  10. ↑ "The World's Richest Arabs 2025". Forbes Lists. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
  11. 1 2 "Al Othaim Holding". othaim.com.sa. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  12. ↑ "Suliman Saleh Al-Othaim". Saudi Gold Refinery. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  13. ↑ aatworld (2023-07-24). "Sheikh Suliman Bin Saleh Al-Othaim - AAT World". Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  14. ↑ "ما لا تعرفه عن عبد الله العثيم .. من هو؟ سيرته الذاتية، إنجازاته وأقواله، معلومات عن عبد الله العثيم". أراجيك - Arageek (in Arabic). 2022-11-09. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  15. ↑ اليوم, الاقتصاد (2025-08-01). "الشيخ عبد الله العثيم.. أيقونة العطاء ورمز الإنجاز في الاقتصاد والمجتمع". الاقتصاد اليوم (in Arabic). Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  16. ↑ "Al Othaim Holding". othaim.com.sa. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  17. ↑ "Saudi Rich List - Abdullah Bin Saleh Al Othaim - Arabian Business: Latest News on the Middle East, Real Estate, Finance, and More". www.arabianbusiness.com. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  18. ↑ "Abdullah al-Othaim Markets Company". saudipedia.com. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  19. ↑ "Abdullah Al-Othaim Markets". MEED. 27 July 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ↑ "Abdullah Al Othaim Markets Co (4001) – Company Profile". Mubasher Info. DirectFN Ltd. Retrieved 20 May 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ↑ Mughal, Waqar. "Al Othaim Holding Company". Forbes Lists. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  22. ↑ "Investor Relations |". othaim-markets-umb.azurewebsites.net. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  23. ↑ "About Us". Othaim Holding. Retrieved 20 May 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ↑ "Annual Report 2024" (PDF). Euroland IR.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. 1 2 "Company Profile Main Market". www.saudiexchange.sa. Archived from the original on 2025-09-08. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  26. ↑ "Abdullah al-Othaim Markets Company". saudipedia.com. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  27. ↑ "Company Overview". Abdullah Al-Othaim Markets Company. Retrieved 20 May 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. 1 2 "Principal". Riva Investment. Retrieved 20 May 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  29. ↑ "المناصب والعضويات – Abdullah Al Othaim official Site". abdullah-alothaim.com. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
  30. 1 2 3 "Abdullah Saleh Ali Al-Othaim: Positions, Relations and Network - MarketScreener". www.marketscreener.com. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  31. ↑ Manhom. "Abdullah Al-Othaim". Manhom | Personalities and Institutions Portal. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  32. 1 2 "Abdullah Saleh Ali Al-Othaim: Postes, Relations & Réseau - Zonebourse". www.zonebourse.com (in French). Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  33. ↑ "المناصب والعضويات – Abdullah Al Othaim official Site". abdullah-alothaim.com. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  34. ↑ "العثيم الخيرية". othaimcharity.com.sa. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  35. ↑ "عام / سمو أمير منطقة حائل يرعى حفل جائزة سموه "بصمة" ويتوج الفائزين". spa.gov.sa (in Arabic). Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  36. ↑ "Al Othaim Markets wins Corporate Social Responsibility Award 2025". Al Riyadh. Retrieved 20 May 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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