DUBAI: Shoppers in the UAE can expect significant savings this Ramadan, with 644 major supermarkets slashing prices by over 50 percent on 10,000 products.
One retailer alone has announced price cuts worth Dh35 million, while another is offering up to 60 percent discounts on more than 5,000 items, according to the Ministry of Economy.
Lulu Hypermarket, which operates over 600 branches across the UAE, has rolled out a 65 percent discount on 5,500 products. The initiatives aim to ease the financial burden on consumers during the holy month.
The UAE has ramped up food imports to meet increased Ramadan demand. Dubai’s Al Aweer Fruits and Vegetables Market is receiving 15,000 tonnes of produce daily, while Abu Dhabi traders are handling 6,000 tonnes.
Strict price regulations
To protect consumers from unjustified price hikes, the ministry has reinforced its policy of controlling the prices of nine essential goods. These include cooking oils, eggs, dairy, rice, sugar, poultry, legumes, bread, and wheat. Retailers are prohibited from increasing prices on these products without prior approval.
Authorities have also launched a real-time monitoring system linked to 14 major supermarket chains, including Carrefour, Lulu, Spinneys, and Al Safeer. If any of these outlets alter the price of a regulated product beyond the permissible limit, the system flags it immediately.
Authorities have planned 420 inspections throughout the holy month to ensure compliance with price regulations and consumer protection laws. In addition, local consumer protection authorities in each emirate are conducting independent inspections.
During the first two months of 2025, the ministry carried out 768 inspection campaigns. In 2024, surprise visits to 80,249 outlets led to 8,388 violations, including cases involving fake spare parts at car dealerships.
In addition to physical inspections, authorities are leveraging technology to track market trends. The ministry maintains a rapid-response system through WhatsApp, ensuring instant communication between consumer protection teams and economic authorities.
Reporting consumer concerns
Consumers are urged to report price tampering, misleading promotions, or quality concerns by calling the ministry’s toll-free number 8001222 or reaching out via social media. In 2024, the ministry received 1,891 consumer complaints electronically, resolving 93 percent of them efficiently.