Ramadan discounts in UAE: Supermarkets offer 10,000 products in 50% bargain
The Ministry of Economy reported on Tuesday that 644 major outlets in the UAE implemented over 50% discounts on 10,000 products during Ramadan while one co-operative offered discounts totaling Dh35 million.
Lulu Hypermarket offers 65% discounts on 5,500 products throughout its more than 600 branches in the emirates during the holy month.
The Ministry's Director of Consumer Protection and Commercial Control, Sultan Darwish, announced that another co-op offered 60% discounts on over 5,000 products.
The UAE markets have experienced a surge in food imports over recent months with daily shipments at Dubai's Al Aweer Fruits and Vegetables Market reaching 15,000 tonnes and Abu Dhabi traders importing 6,000 tonnes. According to Darwish there exists a strong commitment to maintaining adequate food reserves at local markets which ensures supply can meet demand throughout high-demand periods like Ramadan.
The ministry plans to maintain the fixed prices of nine basic products by conducting 420 inspection visits throughout the holy month. Retailers received instructions from the ministry last December that they need official approval before raising prices on nine basic consumer products. The list of basic products encompasses cooking oils, eggs, dairy products, rice, sugar, poultry, legumes, bread and wheat.
Additional inspections
Through collaboration with local consumer protection authorities in each emirate the ministry carried out additional market inspections and observations. The ministry completed 768 inspection campaigns within the first two months of this year.
The ministry's inspectors performed 80,249 unscheduled inspections at different outlets nationwide in 2024 which led to the discovery of 8,388 violations including counterfeit parts in car showrooms among other breaches.
According to Darwish inspections also include online monitoring alongside physical visits. The consumer protection WhatsApp group along with our online platforms help us maintain continuous market monitoring.
Ministry e-linked to major outlets
The ministry has established electronic connections with 14 major outlets throughout the UAE to monitor basic product price variations.
He stated that the principal consumer outlets throughout the UAE including co-ops, Spinneys, Carrefour, Lulu, Al Safeer, KM, and Maya Supermarket account for more than 80% of consumer purchases across the nation.
A price change on any basic product triggers an automatic flagging response. The pricing monitoring system alerts with a red flag for price tags that surpass permitted limits which affects both the Ministry and all local economic authorities. Our monitoring of those 14 major outlets extends beyond physical inspections to include online observation.
The speed of communication between local and federal observation and consumer protection officials is faster than you might expect. We distribute any received information to all related parties in less than one second through What’s App. We don’t wait to send emails.”
The ministry asks consumers to report supermarket price tag tampering along with quality issues through toll-free number 8001222 as well as its social media platforms. The ministry handled 1,891 electronic consumer complaints last year with a 93% timely resolution rate.
Comments