As Ramadan approaches, supermarkets across the UAE have announced massive discounts, with over 644 major outlets offering price reductions of more than 50% on 10,000 essential products, the Ministry of Economy confirmed on Tuesday. One leading cooperative alone has rolled out discounts worth Dh35 million.
Deep Discounts Across Retail Chains
Among the most significant offers, Lulu Hypermarket—one of the UAE’s largest retail chains with over 600 branches—has announced discounts of up to 65% on 5,500 products. Another prominent cooperative has introduced a 60% discount on more than 5,000 essential items, ensuring affordability for consumers during the holy month.
To meet the surge in demand during Ramadan, food imports into UAE markets have increased significantly. The Al Aweer Fruits and Vegetables Market in Dubai is handling daily imports of 15,000 tonnes of fresh produce, while traders in Abu Dhabi are bringing in 6,000 tonnes per day. This proactive approach is aimed at maintaining a stable food supply and avoiding shortages.
Strict Monitoring to Prevent Price Hikes
The Ministry of Economy has reiterated its commitment to protecting consumers from unjustified price hikes, particularly for the nine essential food items whose prices are regulated. These include cooking oils, eggs, dairy products, rice, sugar, poultry, legumes, bread, and wheat.
During Ramadan, the ministry will conduct 420 inspection visits to ensure compliance with price regulations. Additionally, local consumer protection authorities in each emirate will carry out their own inspections.
In the first two months of 2025 alone, the ministry completed 768 inspection campaigns. In 2024, a total of 80,249 surprise visits were conducted across various retail outlets, resulting in 8,388 violations. Cases included the sale of counterfeit spare parts at car showrooms and instances of misleading pricing at supermarkets.
Digital Monitoring for Consumer Protection
Beyond physical inspections, the ministry is utilizing advanced digital monitoring tools to oversee price changes in real time. Through an electronic linkage system with 14 major retail chains—including Carrefour, Spinneys, Lulu, Al Safeer, and KM Trading—the ministry can instantly detect unauthorized price hikes. If any of these outlets attempt to raise prices on regulated items, the system automatically flags the change, ensuring immediate intervention.
“We have developed a swift communication system between local and federal authorities,” said Sultan Darwish, Director of Consumer Protection and Commercial Control at the ministry. “Any issues flagged are instantly shared among consumer protection officials through WhatsApp, allowing for rapid responses.”
Encouraging Consumer Participation
The ministry is also urging residents to report any irregularities in pricing or product quality. Consumers can lodge complaints by calling the toll-free number 8001222 or through the ministry’s official social media channels. In 2024, the ministry received 1,891 consumer complaints electronically, resolving 93% of them in a timely manner.
With these extensive measures in place, shoppers in the UAE can expect a well-regulated, fair, and consumer-friendly shopping experience during Ramadan, ensuring that families can celebrate the holy month without financial strain.
