Dubai: Shoppers can look forward to good deals in the run-up to Ramadan as hypermarkets are offering special prices on essential food items.
Special areas have been set up for the sales and promotions. Some like Geant in Ibn Battuta have erected colourful tents as most hypermarkets have got into the festive mood.
The global downturn will definitely not affect sales, some managers of hypermarkets said.
"I can confirm that prices will be stable [during Ramadan] and many items will be discounted between 30 and 40 per cent," said Shawqi Khalil Darwish, purchase manager at Union Cooperative.
He said shoppers usually rush to purchase food items, expecting a shortage during the holy month.
"There is no need to panic. We have enough food for all of GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council]," he said.
Lulu Hypermarkets are offering a special Ramadan kit of 22 essential (non-perishable) items such as rice, oil, juices, dry fruits, sugar and tea for Dh180. It will also hold a date festival across its chain of hypermarkets offering about 16 varieties of locally-grown dates along with 50 varieties from other countries.
"The idea is to support local farmers," said Nanda Kumar, marketing manager of Emke Group, which manages Lulu hypermarkets. Other hypermarkets like Giant and Carrefour have printed pull-outs detailing the special prices for not only food but electronic items and school bags as well.
"The beginning of Ramadan coincides with the end of [summer] vacations and the start of school [terms]," said Kumar, noting that hypermarkets will be very busy as people stock up.
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