Dubai: Suppliers and retailers cannot increase prices of essential commodities during Ramadan without getting prior permission from authorities, said Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi, Director of the Consumer Protection Department.
Al Nuaimi also called upon residents to avoid the tendency to hoard up on grocery items and to cut food wastage. He added that a team assigned by the Consumer Protection Department would carry out surprise visits and inspections at different times of the day to deter unauthorised price hikes.
“There are products whose prices will not increase throughout Ramadan and their prices will be locked until the end of this year,” said Al Nuaimi. “In Choithrams, for example, 130 items will have their prices locked.”
Choithrams, a retailer and distributor in the UAE, will not only cap the prices of 130 essential consumer commodities but also launch promotions for 200 items starting from June 6. As part of its ‘Ramadan Goodness Campaign’, the retailer will also provide consumers with food baskets containing 20-25 food essentials.
“Ramadan food baskets will be available across all Choithrams stores in UAE which contains 20 to 25 essential food items such as rice, sugar, milk, canned food and cooking oil at discounted prices,” said Al Nuaimi.
The food baskets, which will be sold in all 31 Choithrams branches, contain supplies for a family consisting of up to five persons for a whole week.
Al Nuaimi said that signs would also be put up at retail outlets to highlight responsible grocery shopping habits.
Many people buy more food than necessary during Ramadan and much of it is either wasted or thrown away when not used, he said.
Haresh Bhatia, Country Head of the Out of Home Advertising Sector, added that most meat products, fruits and vegetable prices will remain the same.
“The Ramadan Campaign has already started and will end in the third week of Ramadan,” said Bhatia. “The Eid Campaign will then begin in the last week of Ramadan and carry on throughout the Eid period.”
Choithrams will be aiming for a 15 per cent increase in sales during the month of Ramadan and will donate a portion of the sales to charity. “We are also planning to donate a portion of our sales amount on selected items to Dubai Cares for the holy month of Ramadan and the amount expected to be donated is a minimum of Dh85,000,” said L.T. Pagarani, Chairman of Choithrams.
Choithrams is in the final stages of discussion with Dubai Cares regarding the donation and will be aiming to contribute more than Dh85,000 with the expected increase in sales.
