Consumers from Emirati and Arab families confirmed that the bills for purchasing food and consumer goods increased by more than 50% during the current month of Ramadan compared to the period that preceded the month of Ramadan.
They attributed this to the increase in the quantities and types of food commodities, and the complete reliance on homemade food, in addition to the decrease in discounts in some sales outlets.
In turn, an expert in retail affairs confirmed that there is an increase in purchase invoices from sales outlets and cooperative societies, pointing out that the discounts are present, but they are "timid", and in rates not as large as the season last year in which the discounts reached 70%.
Purchase invoices
In detail, consumer Hoda Khalfan said that the bills of her family's purchases from sales outlets and cooperative societies increased by more than 50% during the current month of Ramadan, compared to the period before the month of fasting.
She attributed this to buying more meat and poultry, and staying at home for a long time, in compliance with the precautionary measures to prevent the emerging corona virus (Covid 19), as well as not eating outside the home, and relying entirely on home food.
She explained that the most buying and consuming during Ramadan is meat, poultry, dates, and soups of all kinds, flour and vegetables, while the consumption of seafood decreases.
In turn, the consumer, Ihsan Muhammad, agreed that the family’s purchase bill increased by at least 50% during the current month of Ramadan, compared to the days before, with decreases in sales and discounts at sales outlets, increased consumption of meat, poultry, and rice, and making popular foods such as mash , Porridge, marinated, and desserts such as dumblings and kunafa.
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In addition, consumer Fatima Hussein said that the rate of family spending in the current month of Ramadan increased by at least 30% compared to normal days.
She attributed this to the necessity of the presence of basic commodities on the daily breakfast table, such as meat, chicken or fish, in addition to increasing the quantities of rice and pasta, oils, flour, sugar, tea and coffee, pointing to the decrease in the purchase of fruits and the increase in spending for cleaning materials.
She noted that she noticed that the offers and rates of sales discounts are lower, compared to Ramadan in the past years, which increased the value of the family bill.
In the same context, consumer Nihad Sorour confirmed that there is an increase in purchase bills during the month of Ramadan, in light of the increase in food items and quantities, noting that Ramadan offers are good, but they are less than those we are used to in the Ramadan season in general.
In turn, consumer Suleiman Abdullah said that there is an increase in the bills of his family’s purchases by at least 30%, due to the increase in the quantities of goods that are consumed, the purchase of various items, as well as the high prices of meat and the lack of offers on goods in general compared to last Ramadan.
As for the consumer, Saad Abdel-Hakam, he mentioned that he noticed an increase in the family’s weekly bill for purchases of up to 50%, given the reliance on home food, calling for an increase in the rates of discounts on commodities, especially basic items.
Discounts timidly
In addition, the retail expert, Ibrahim Al-Bahr, called on families to rationalize expenditures and purchase necessary supplies, without storing them.
He explained that one of the lessons of the “Corona” crisis that consumers must be aware of is the need to save and have a financial surplus to use in cases of necessity.
Al-Bahr indicated that there is an increase in the purchase bills from the sales outlets and cooperative societies, as a result of the increase in consumption in the month of Ramadan, the lack of offers that consumers are accustomed to in the month of fasting, and the decrease in the rates of discounts in some sales outlets. He continued: «The discounts are in the outlets, but they are (timidly), and in rates not as great as last season’s season when the discounts reached 70%, and more.
The sea pointed out that some sales outlets found that there is no need to make big discounts in light of the urgent need of consumers for goods and not eating foods outside the home.
Two outlets: cuts focus on consumer priorities
Nanda Kumar, head of marketing and communications at Lulu Group, said that there are discounts on hundreds of goods ranging between 20 and 50%.
He explained that the discounts focus on commodities that are a priority for consumers in the month of Ramadan, such as food, household items, cleaning tools, detergents and sterilization.
For his part, another Abdul-Razzaq official, said that the discounts at the outlet reach 50% on many commodities, noting that the reduced goods are being changed weekly to include the largest possible number of goods according to the desires of consumers.
He continued, "The consumer may search for a commodity and he cannot find it at a reduced price, even though it was depreciated in the previous week, or it was implemented."
He emphasized that the increase in freight rates and global supply difficulties in the first period of the Corona crisis played a role in the slight decrease in discounts compared to last Ramadan.
The Corona crisis revealed the importance of saving for use when necessary.
Increase in meat prices and less offers on goods compared to last Ramadan.