The Minister of Economy and Tourism, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, recently conducted a field visit that included the UAE Cooperative Society in 'Al Tawar 3' area in Dubai and the 'Spince' store in Al Khawaneej area. This visit is part of a tour aimed at ensuring the stability of prices for goods and products in markets, their availability in quantities that meet consumers' needs during the holy month of Ramadan 2026, and the extent of commitment from traders, cooperative societies, and sales outlets to applying consumer protection laws and policies, especially the pricing policy for essential consumer goods and the decisions arising from it, including the ministry's decision on the 'unit price' for consumer goods. Bin Touq Al Marri confirmed that the strategic stockpiles in the UAE are in a state of high readiness and have the capacity for continuous supply, ensuring the long-term availability of goods and products. As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, markets are witnessing a significant abundance of products, especially essential consumer goods. He said: 'The Ministry of Economy and Tourism is keen to ensure that all consumers' needs are met and that required quantities are provided, while also preventing any unjustified price increases during the holy month of Ramadan. We also monitor the compliance of sales outlets and cooperative societies with the basic rights guaranteed by the consumer protection law and its executive regulations, as well as related decisions in the UAE. We also track the adherence to promotional offers and discounts announced by outlets and cooperative societies during the month of Ramadan, which contributes to achieving greater market stability and providing an attractive and safe consumer environment.' During his tour of the UAE Cooperative Society in the 'Al Tawar 3' area in Dubai, Bin Touq Al Marri reviewed the available quantities of goods and products and the extent of compliance with displaying unit prices for consumer goods in a clear and readable manner, enabling consumers to compare prices and make the optimal purchasing decision according to approved standards and policies. Bin Touq Al Marri continued his tour with a visit to the 'Spince' store in Al Khawaneej area to ensure the application of approved policies that enhance consumer protection and price stability in markets. He stressed the importance of continuous cooperation and communication with sales outlets and cooperative societies to promote the regular exchange of information and data related to essential consumer goods and ensure their sustainable availability, especially while providing consumers with special discounts and offers coinciding with the advent of the holy month of Ramadan. He confirmed that the pricing policy for essential consumer goods plays a pivotal role in regulating the vital relationship between goods suppliers, sales outlets, and consumers, ensuring the rights of all parties, and applying the best commercial practices. This policy includes preventing an increase in the prices of essential goods such as 'cooking oils, eggs, dairy products, rice, sugar, poultry, legumes, bread, wheat, and others' without prior approval from the ministry and the competent authorities in the state, pursuant to Cabinet Resolution No. 120 of 2022 concerning the rules and controls for pricing consumer goods. He noted that the commitment to applying the unit price for consumer goods and cleaning materials within sales outlets and stores contributes to ensuring the transparency of selling prices to consumers and providing accurate information that helps them rationalize consumption and choose the best alternative among goods, and guarantees fair competition among goods based on the unit price, not just the overall promotional offers currently set in markets. The Ministry of Economy and Tourism's decision on the unit price for consumer goods obligates retail sales outlets—including commercial establishments (physical or digital) with an area of more than 1,000 square meters—to display unit prices clearly and readable using unified measurement units for each product. The decision also granted the ministry and competent authorities the right to monitor the compliance of retail sales outlets and digital traders with the unit price, and also gave consumers the right to file a complaint against retail sales outlets and digital traders in case of a violation of the provisions of this decision.
