Abeer Abdel Halim À Abu Dhabi
The Ministry of Economy stated that the number of food commodity stores and pharmacies in the UAE reached 59,181, diversified between restaurants, food stores, grocery stores, consumer markets, cooperatives, the food and beverage industry, pharmacies, bakeries, ice cream and refreshments stores.
The ministry said, in a report issued yesterday, about "the growth of the participatory economy and the repercussions of Coffed-19", that the restaurants accounted for the largest percentage of them with 20,742 restaurants, or 35% of the total number of food commodity stores and pharmacies in the country.
Food stores came second with a total of 14,277 stores, with 24% of the total, then grocery stores with 11%, with a total of 6,446 stores, followed by consumer markets and cooperatives with 9%, with a total of 5143 markets, then food and beverage industry facilities with 8% , With a total of 5030 establishments, then pharmacies by 5%, with a total of 2801 pharmacies, then bakeries with 5%, with more than 2709 bakeries, and finally ice cream and refreshments sales by 3%, with a total of 2033 stores.
The ministry confirmed that the consequences of the Corona pandemic led to a significant increase in consumer demand for sales outlets, supermarkets and groceries in the country to buy their needs, as sales recorded a significant increase in excess of 300%, noting that current expectations indicate that online shopping will register an increase of up to To 78% by 2023, amid expectations that the value of retail and virtual sales will exceed 234 billion dirhams in the same year in the country.
In its report, the Ministry recommended the implementation of basic pillars to achieve maximum benefit from the participatory economy in the UAE and the Gulf region, and includes setting clear regulations and regulations to protect consumers and service providers in this sector, including requirements for market entry and legal responsibility and making the participatory economy platforms more local, by supporting Emiratisation.