Consumers are calling for a reduction in the prices of reusable shopping bags, which are sold in retail outlets for up to 12 dirhams for large bags, following the imposition of a ban on single-use plastic bags last year. They added to 'Emirates Today' that the prices of the bags place an additional burden on families, especially large ones that shop for their needs weekly and require a large number of bags, at a time when some retail outlets focus on providing only limited, high-priced types. They explained that it is often difficult for consumers to keep their own bags for reuse, especially since some shop immediately after work, noting that they have observed that most shoppers now buy bags from retail outlets, after the majority had initially been keen to bring their own bags when the ban on single-use plastic bags was first implemented. In turn, retail outlet officials stated that purchasing shopping bags is optional, pointing out that there is a wide variety of types, sizes, and prices for bags available at retail outlets, allowing consumers to buy what suits them. They added that some types may not be available during late-night shopping due to high demand, especially during official holidays, festivals, and weekends, and said that the bag prices are reasonable and suitable for everyone, and they are of high quality and very durable, making their prices logical. Consumer Demands In detail, consumer Mohammed Al-Hamadi called for a reduction in the prices of reusable bags sold in retail outlets, with prices starting from half a dirham per bag and going up to 12 dirhams for large ones, stressing the need to provide bags of various sizes and prices. He explained to 'Emirates Today' that the bag prices are a burden on large families that shop weekly for their needs, as they require a large number of small and large bags, pointing out that it is often difficult to keep the bags for shopping again or storing them, as he usually shops right after work. Variable Prices On her part, consumer Rima Abdullah Mohammed agreed on the necessity of reducing the prices of reusable bags sold in retail outlets and providing different types and sizes at variable prices. She said that some retail outlets do not allow the consumer to choose, or offer variety in bags and their prices, providing only one type or at most two, while some retail outlets focus on high-priced bags and claim a shortage of 'low-priced' ones. In response to a question about why he does not keep reusable bags for reuse, he said that shopping for groceries often takes place after a family program in commercial malls, which makes it difficult to keep the bags for more than two or three hours, and in some cases, those bags may not be available in the car. As for consumer Samer Ali, he said that most shoppers now buy reusable bags from retail outlets, after many had initially been keen to shop with their own bags purchased previously when the ban on single-use plastic bags was first implemented, pointing out that the return of consumers to buying bags makes sales volume large and profitable for retail outlets even with a price reduction. Ali called for providing different types of bags at different prices so that shoppers are not forced to buy certain types that do not suit them in terms of size and price. Purchase is Optional In turn, an official at a major retail outlet with branches in several emirates, Rajiv Tamara, told 'Emirates Today': 'The purchase of shopping bags is not mandatory; it is optional.' He noted that several awareness campaigns were organized during the initial period of the ban on single-use plastic bags, encouraging consumers to shop with their own bags purchased in advance. He added: 'The prices of the bags are reasonable and suitable, and there is a wide variety of types and sizes of shopping bags, and therefore there is variety and difference in prices so that every consumer can buy what suits him.' On the other hand, an official at another retail outlet, Ali Dawood, considered the prices to be reasonable in light of the great diversity in the sizes and shapes of the bags, confirming that it is rare for small, low-priced bags to be out of stock except in cases of late-night shopping due to high demand, especially during official holidays, festivals, and weekends. He continued: 'The bags are generally of high quality and very durable, which makes their prices completely logical,' explaining that no complaints about the quality of the bags have reached his retail outlet. An official at another retail outlet, who preferred not to be named, agreed on the availability of various reusable bags at variable prices, calling on shoppers to change the shopping culture and make the shopping process worthy of prior preparation, in terms of a list of required goods and the need to keep the bags bought during the shopping process to reuse them and save their cost.
