They criticized the focus on “clothes, bags and furniture” without electronics, household and sports items

Consumers are calling for a diversification of discount campaigns

Most sales campaigns focus on specific items such as clothing.

Photography: Mostafa Qasimi

Consumers called for expanding the discount campaigns offered by some sales outlets to include various commodities that meet their needs, noting that most of these campaigns are concentrated on specific commodities frequently, such as clothes, bags, shoes and furniture.

They explained to «Emirates Today» that the discounts for electronics, electrical and sports equipment, household appliances, children's supplies, travel bags, perfumes, and cosmetics are few, and if they are offered, then they are at simple discount rates.

In turn, two officials in two sales outlets said that the commodities that do not offer much discounts and the rates of discounts on them are somewhat low, are commodities with a small profit margin, and therefore it is difficult to offer discounts on them frequently and in large proportions.

They emphasized that although the discount rates on some commodities are few, the value of the discount is reasonable.

Consumer reviews

The consumer, Muhammad Abdul Rahman, said that most of the discount campaigns offered by the sales outlets focus on specific commodities such as clothes, shoes, bags, and furniture, pointing out that the discounts for electronics, especially phones, tablets and their accessories, as well as electrical appliances, are very few, and if they are offered within offers, they will be Low discount rates and limited quality.

Abdul Rahman called for expanding the discount base to include additional, more diverse commodities of interest to consumers.

For his part, the consumer, Amr El-Gendy, agreed that most of the discount campaigns are concentrated in clothes, shoes, furniture, and decoration, while discounts are often ignored on other commodities such as electrical appliances, household appliances of all kinds, and children's necessities.

He added, “In the event that discounts are offered on these commodities, then they will be of limited and old-fashioned quality, with low discount rates, and they will continue to be offered for short periods,” stressing the importance of

Expanding the base of discount commodities, to ease the burdens on consumers, especially since the prices of commodities not included in the discounts have recently witnessed increases of up to 30%, affected by the global situation.

In the same context, the consumer, Ihsan Al-Ali, stressed the need to expand the base of discounts to include additional, more diverse commodities that consumers need, especially those related to phones, tablets, sports, perfumes, and travel bags, agreeing that the current discounts are mostly concentrated on clothing and furniture.

Profit margin

In addition, the responsible manager of a commercial store specializing in various commodities and gifts, Irfan Ismail, said that the discount campaigns are organized in full cooperation and coordination with the agents of these commodities with regard to timing, quantities and qualities.

He added that the commodities that do not offer much discounts, and the rates of discounts on them are somewhat low, are commodities with a small profit margin, and therefore it is difficult to offer discounts on them frequently and in large proportions.

For his part, an official at a commercial outlet, N.S., confirmed the existence of discounts on various commodities, pointing out that some of these discounts are not as frequent as other commodities.

He added, "Some consumers may feel that the discount rates on some commodities are low, given that their price is high, but the discount value is reasonable, especially since some of these commodities are durable and have a high price, not like clothes."

He stated that some sales outlets currently prefer to offer discounts on their websites, rather than within their traditional branches, which requires the consumer to follow these sites.

Al-Bahr: Offering discounts on various commodities that support “loyalty” and purchasing power

Retail affairs expert, Ibrahim Al-Bahr, said that many of the commodities that discounts are not offered on a regular and repeated basis are commodities whose profit margin is not large, and does not exceed approximately 15%.

He explained that some of these commodities do not witness great competition in the market, due to the presence of a limited number of their own brands, and the loyalty of consumers, in addition to the existence of high demand for them and do not need large discounts frequently to market them.

Al-Bahar pointed out that the profit rates in commodities such as clothes are high and exceed 200% at times, and they are linked to certain seasons and models, so discounts are offered on them frequently to sell them, and introduce new products.

Al-Bahar agreed on the importance of offering regular discounts on various commodities, to support brand loyalty and the purchasing power of consumers.

He said that the markets witness every period of changes that may affect the sales of commodities, which necessitates supporting consumer confidence and loyalty to certain commodities, even if it is at the expense of the profit margin, especially in difficult global conditions, and the consequent increases in the prices of some commodities.

Two officials: Goods that do not offer discounts have a small profit margin.

Some outlets prefer to offer discounts on their websites.

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