A consumer shift that included shoppers and shops after "Corona"

Outlets: 50% increase in consumer purchases of healthy foods

• Consumers are focusing on low-fat, low-calorie foods and cheeses.

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Officials of sales outlets and cooperatives confirmed an increase of more than 50% in consumers ’purchases of healthy food and drinks, attributing this to the Coronavirus pandemic, which supported a healthy consumer culture.

They explained to "Emirates Today" that consumer interest was reflected in the same sales outlets that allocated large shelves for these health products, at a time when some of the outlets are now managing the fresh vegetables and fruits departments, after they were previously rented.

They pointed to an increase in the number of companies producing and supplying healthy food and drinks, especially local ones, which gives these companies an opportunity to excel and expand their presence in the market, especially with regard to fresh food and drinks.

In turn, shoppers said that their consumer behavior has witnessed a remarkable change in the recent period, as their purchases of healthy and organic foods have increased, as well as natural juices fortified with immunity-boosting vitamins.

And they explained that they are becoming more interested in reading the commodity data card, in order to know the proportions of sugar, fats and calories in different food products.

Consumer behavior

In detail, consumer Yusef Al-Mansoori said that his purchases of healthy food and drinks have increased dramatically, in conjunction with the emergence of the Corona pandemic, pointing out that during shopping in outlets, he focuses on the sections for fresh food, low-sugar and low-fat goods, while reducing his purchases of goods. High in fats, as part of the concern for the health of his family and the support of the body's natural immunity.

Consumer Meera Al Shamsi agreed that her consumer behavior has changed during the recent period, stressing that she tends to buy fresh, low-sugar, fresh juices, and organic foods, especially if their prices are appropriate, and away from canned and frozen foods.

In turn, consumer Rami Nasser said that his interest has increased dramatically during the recent period, in buying food and natural juices fortified with immunomodulating vitamins, as well as low-calorie foods and drinks.

He emphasized that he also became more interested in reading the nutritional information card, in order to know the percentage of sugar, fats and calories in the products, although he had not read this information before.

Consumer awareness

In addition, the General Director of the "Emirates Cooperative Society", Muhammad Yusef Al-Khaja, said that there is an increase of more than 50% in the purchases of healthy food and drinks, especially fresh products, especially vegetables and fruits, lean meats, drinks, and sugar-free juices. And gluten, low-fat cheeses, and organic foods, as well as products that strengthen immunity in general.

Al-Khaja emphasized that consumers have a great consumer awareness after the Corona pandemic, with the need to maintain their health, and to eat healthy food and drinks, pointing out that consumers have also begun to read the data card of the food product in depth, especially with regard to ingredients, shelf life, and storage instructions. They also buy food with high nutritional value, as well as organic products, after the prices of some of them began to decline.

Al Khaja stressed that the number of companies producing and supplying healthy food and beverages, especially local companies, has witnessed a rise during the recent period, which gives these companies an opportunity to excel and expand their presence in the market, especially with regard to the manufacture and supply of fresh food and drinks, to fill the shortage in the market. He pointed out that foreign companies cannot compete, as they face difficulties, especially in the timing of supplying fresh products.

Healthy foods

The Director of the Corporate Communication Department, the spokesperson for "Lulu Trading Centers Group", Nanda Kumar, agreed with Al Khaja that there has been an increase of more than 50% in the demand for healthy food and drinks, including fresh vegetables and fruits, plant products, organic, low in sugar and calories, as well as For food and beverages that contain immune-boosting vitamins, such as vitamin C and calcium, with the decline in demand for frozen products, rich in sugar and fats, and those containing preservatives.

Kumar explained that the Corona pandemic and what it requires of increased attention to public health and strengthening immunity is behind this great shift in consumer behavior, pointing out that it is a trend that began modestly years ago, supported by the spread of social media and the desire of individuals to maintain a healthy appearance.

Kumar also revealed a doubling of the number of companies supplying healthy foods to the outlets, whether local companies that increased their production of fresh vegetables, fruits and organic products, or from abroad, due to the increase in demand, stressing that the increase in demand was reflected in the sales outlets that responded and allocated Large shelves for these health products, with prominently labeled items.

Positive effect

In the same context, the Deputy Director of the Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society for Operations, Abdullah Eid, said that the current period is witnessing a significant increase, ranging between 40 and 50%, in consumers ’purchases of healthy food and drinks with little or no sugar and low in fat, and organic and anti-food foods. Oxidation, which contains vitamins, is a reference to the Coronavirus pandemic, which has positively affected support for a healthy consumer culture, which was absent from many consumers.

He added, "It is also noticeable that there is an increase in demand for fresh agricultural food, which is what the sales outlets have responded to by expanding the supply of products from local farms that are of high quality, and their sources are known, and there is control over them to verify the quality of the various stages of cultivation and transportation."

Eid emphasized that the growing interest on the part of consumers was reflected in the interest of Abu Dhabi Cooperative, which began allocating large refrigerators for agricultural products, to ensure that they remain fresh for a long time. The association also started managing its vegetable and fruit departments, after following the policy of renting shelves over the years. He pointed out that the association now manages the vegetable and fruit departments in 12 branches, and it is scheduled to complete the management of the rest of the departments in all branches of the association by the end of this year.

Supplier companies

The sales official at a major outlet in Abu Dhabi, Hafeez Khan, said that there is an increase of more than 50% in the purchase of healthy food and drinks after the Coronavirus pandemic, especially with regard to fresh foodstuffs, hot drinks, and juices that include fruits that raise the body's immunity, and are fortified with vitamins.

He emphasized that there has been a noticeable increase in the number of companies supplying these products by more than 50%, pointing out that local companies have become a major supplier of fresh vegetables and fruits directly from the farm, as well as various organic products.

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