Dubai officials have called for a 'smart shopping' approach during Ramadan, warning against impulsive purchases driven solely by low prices. They emphasized that chasing only the lowest price is an economically flawed strategy, as some goods may be offered at better prices again in just two weeks. Planning purchases should be based on each person's or family's needs for a specific period, without excess or waste.
"We buy the quantity we need for a reasonable period according to each family's needs," said a representative. "This helps reduce waste and manage the household budget without unnecessary stress." Excessive shopping creates an unnatural and sudden surge in demand for goods, putting pressure on supply chains.
Unplanned spending can strain a family's budget. Instead of distributing expenses evenly, a large portion of income is spent in a single shopping trip, which can cause financial hardship. In Dubai, retail outlets are easily accessible, allowing consumers to return for purchases anytime without the need for excessive stockpiling.
A sudden increase in demand can create market pressure, which regulatory bodies aim to avoid by guiding consumers toward conscious and balanced shopping behavior. "We strive to keep prices stable throughout the season," the representative noted.
He called for 'smart shopping' based on planning and actual family needs, rather than hoarding goods just because they are cheap. In this context, he also urged consumers to strengthen their awareness of rights by adhering to basic procedures when filing complaints.
"Retaining the invoice or any promotional material received at the time of purchase is the cornerstone that enables the competent authority to handle the complaint efficiently and quickly," he explained. Many complaints to the consumer protection department lack sufficient documentation and data, hindering the ability to take immediate action.
"Some consumers file complaints without attaching the purchase receipt, details of the offer, or the merchant's data, making it difficult to verify the incident or contact the relevant authority formally," he added, stressing that the availability of supporting documents saves time and ensures the consumer's rights are fully protected.
In line with this, the Dubai Consumer Protection Department, a body within the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, has set up a dedicated hotline for complaints and inquiries during Ramadan. This initiative is part of a commitment to ensuring rapid response and enhancing service levels during a period of intense commercial activity.
"For instance, a consumer booked a hotel room, but it was discovered that a fault prevented them from using it. Such cases require swift intervention to protect the consumer's right to the service they paid for," the representative gave as an example.
Working hours and complaint reception times have also been extended to meet public needs, reflecting the department's commitment to ensuring a safe and fair shopping experience for all. Complaints are categorized based on their nature and urgency. Urgent complaints are addressed within 24 hours. Others, such as issues with product warranties or disputes over sales terms or after-sales services, are processed within four working days after reviewing documents and liaising with relevant parties.
Acting Director of the Dubai Consumer Protection Department, Ahmed Ahli, stated that any advertisement for a promotion or discount must clearly show the original price and the discounted price without hidden information or undisclosed fees. If a consumer discovers undisclosed fees during the purchase process, they have the right to object and demand rectification.
Ahli warned about the need to scrutinize details before buying, stressing the importance of verifying that the discounted product is the exact product needed in terms of size and price, as confusion can sometimes arise between similar packages of different sizes. He added that some discounted items may be nearing their expiration date but are still safe for consumption, though their quantity should be proportional to the ability to use them before they expire.
"It is a common phenomenon during the holy month that some consumers buy in quantities that exceed their actual needs," he noted, emphasizing that the department works to ensure product availability throughout the month and urged buying only what is necessary to avoid waste and ensure fair distribution.
He also clarified that setting purchase limits on certain products aims to protect everyone and prevent hoarding or reselling at inflated prices, not to restrict consumer freedom.
Ahli cautioned against the habit of buying and storing large quantities of food, especially during high-spending seasons like Ramadan, noting that this habit can harm consumers for several reasons: budget strain, risk of waste, misjudging value offers, and the dangers of improper storage.
"Bulk buying and storing during the season is, in fact, a behavior that harms the consumer, especially when the purchased quantities far exceed the family's actual needs," Ahli said, stressing that pre-planning purchases is the best option to preserve the budget and limit waste.
He pointed out that some products require specific storage conditions that may not be available at home, whereas these conditions are available and secure in retail outlets themselves. This means storing such products at home for long periods could lead to spoilage or loss of nutritional value, contrary to what some might expect when buying in bulk.
"There are products with a short shelf life, and purchasing them in quantities that exceed demand makes them susceptible to spoiling before consumption, which means a financial loss for the consumer and a waste of resources," Ahli added.
He highlighted that the local market is well-supplied with sufficient quantities of goods throughout the season, so there is no cause for concern regarding supply chains. Ahli directed consumers to buy only the quantities they need, rather than responding to tempting low-price offers for items that may not actually be required.
He confirmed that the speed of resolving a complaint is directly linked to the completeness of the data provided by the consumer.
