Commercial stores in the country have offered price reductions on their products when shopping online, at rates of up to 70%, with the expansion of free home delivery services, and linked to the imminent arrival of Ramadan.
Consumers demanded that more stores join the discounts initiative to reduce the burden on consumers and meet their needs at reasonable prices.
For its part, shops indicated to «Emirates Today» that the cuts are aimed at stimulating sales and attracting a new segment of shoppers before the advent of Ramadan, confirming the commitment of the work teams to follow the special instructions due to the current conditions imposed by the Corona virus, especially sterilization and home delivery from Without contact.
A survey conducted by «Emirates Today» showed that the stores that offered the online discounts operate in major sectors, most notably women's, men's and children's clothes, as well as shoes, bags and accessories, in addition to household items, furniture, decor and furnishings, as well as sports equipment, telephones, body care products and others.
free delivery
In detail, the consumer, Reem Al-Hammadi, said that a number of shops in the country offered discounts ranging from 20 to 70% when shopping through their websites.
She added that some stores offered free delivery, while others stipulated different amounts as a minimum for delivery.
Al-Hammadi called for more stores to join the discounts because of options for consumers, to reduce the burdens on them, and to meet their needs at affordable prices within the framework of the commitment to the “Khalk at Home” campaign, while tightening supervision to verify compliance with the announced rates of discounts.
Health requirements
In turn, the consumer, Sarah Obaid, said that several stores offered discounts of up to 70%, and that most of them ranged between 20 and 50%, when shopping through their websites, also asking more stores to join the discounts, to reduce the burden on consumers in these circumstances, stressing The importance of observing health requirements upon delivery.
Consumer Naguib Naim also reported that a number of stores offered discounts of up to 70% when shopping through their websites, explaining that the discounts included clothing and sports equipment, in addition to phones and household items.
Naeem called for extending the price cuts for goods that cover the different needs of consumers, taking into account health requirements.
New clients
For her part, an official in a famous chain of stores in the country, Pia Adrian, said that the cuts started by the series are aimed at stimulating sales, after receiving the stop service from the store before the advent of the month of Ramadan, as well as attracting new customers for e-shopping, which is now the main way after a crisis of a pandemic. "Corona" globally, and the closure of shops in light of the precautionary measures followed.
Adrian added that the shops give priority to health and safety for all of its employees and customers, pointing to taking many preventive measures in daily operations, such as sterilizing all facilities and warehouses, and ensuring that the highest standards of hygiene and health are applied in them, as well as the cleanliness of the conductors, where drivers are currently sterilizing Their hands before and after each interaction with home delivery without contact.
Stimulate sales
In the same context, the official said in another store offering discounts, Irfan Ahmed, that the store aims to stimulate sales by up to 100% compared to last March, which witnessed a significant decline due to the current conditions.
He explained that the store added some procedures to the delivery process to the doorstep of the house, so that prepaid orders can be left on the door, instead of being delivered, to reduce interaction, indicating that for all cash payment requests upon receipt, freight personnel were trained to clean hands, so that They cleanse their hands before and after each reaction.
Ahmed added that more strict disinfection and sanitation operations were introduced to all locations, and all drivers were trained in best hygiene practices, in accordance with the guidelines of the World Health Organization and the local authorities in the country, along with disinfectants placed in all workplaces, and the provision of appropriate protective equipment to ensure Safety of employees and clients.
Real discounts
Moreover, retail expert, Davy Nagpal, said that offering real discounts in these conditions is beneficial to consumers and merchants, as consumers get their needs at reasonable prices, while sales rates that are affected by the global epidemic are rising.
He stressed the importance of more stores joining the sales initiative, while monitoring it from the competent authorities.
The "economy" is welcomed
The Director of the Consumer Protection Department in the Ministry of Economy, Dr. Hashem Al-Nuaimi, welcomed the discounts that were launched by e-shops when shopping online, especially that they come before the month of Ramadan, stressing that the ministry with any step that meets the interests of consumers and merchants at the same time.
Al-Nuaimi said that the discounts make it easier for consumers to buy their needs at good prices, and sales are active in light of the campaign to stay at home, calling for expansion in those who can shop to achieve the benefit for both sides.
He pointed out that the Ministry is ready to receive consumer complaints in the event of fictional discounts, to deal with them, and take the necessary measures to support consumer protection in these unprecedented conditions.
Consumers are demanding an increase in stores offering discounts while observing health requirements.
The discounts included several stores, most notably specialized in clothes, shoes, household items, and telephones.