Business | Markets
Retailers offer Ramadan food bargains
Prices of some food items may rise this month, but consumers can beat inflation by purchasing discounted items that some Dubai retailers have carefully picked for the fasting month.
- By Cleofe Maceda, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:30 August 31, 2008
- Image Credit: Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News
- Dubai retailers, such as LuLu Hypermarket Group, Emirates Co-operative Society and Union Co-operative Society, have slashed the prices of certain goods by five to 30 per cent.
Dubai: Prices of some food items may rise this month, but consumers can beat inflation by purchasing discounted items that some Dubai retailers have carefully picked for the fasting month.
Dubai retailers, such as LuLu Hypermarket Group, Emirates Co-operative Society and Union Co-operative Society, have slashed the prices of certain goods by five to 30 per cent, and prepared Ramadan food packages at fixed bargain prices.
Yousuf Ali M.A., managing director of LuLu Hypermarket Group, said they have packed a 'Ramadan kit', which includes 16 essential items such as flour, oil, milk, orange powder, rice, dates, sugar and water, among others. Starting today, the package is sold at all LuLu outlets for a discounted rate of Dh116.50, or 12 per cent lower than the market price. "If you buy these items separately, it would cost you Dh132.40. We are offering this package in conjunction with our commitment with the Ministry of Economy," Ali said.
Despite the notice from suppliers that they will increase the price of chicken, Ali said they have opted to keep their prices stable. LuLu is selling Al Khazma and Al Rawdah chicken for Dh16 per kilo, which is lower than the prevailing market price of Dh17.
Al Ain chicken and Al Liwa chicken are also being sold for Dh14 per kilo, compared to the prevailing market price of Dh14.50. "We are not increasing the prices because we have a commitment not to succumb to market pressures and resort to price manipulation tactics," Ali told Gulf News.
Emirates Co-operative Society announced yesterday it is reducing prices on essential items between five per cent and 30 per cent starting from Thursday.
Customers will also have an option to buy a 'Ram-adan basket' worth Dh300, which includes Pakistani rice, flour, sugar, powder milk and tomato paste.
"This is to help our local and expatriate customers against the increasing food price, to keep the spirit of giving this Ramadan," said Fareed Al Shamandy, acting general manager of Emirates Cooperative Society.
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