The Dubai Consumer Protection Department has unveiled a comprehensive surveillance plan for the Eid al-Fitr period, which includes intensifying field inspection tours on markets and shopping centers across the emirate. According to «Emirates Today», the department conducted 2,500 inspection tours on Dubai markets within 20 days and received 7,500 complaints during that period, emphasizing its commitment to ensuring a safe and fair shopping experience for all consumers in Dubai by verifying that traders comply with laws related to prices and promotional offers. In detail, the Acting Director of the Consumer Protection Department at the Dubai Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Establishment, one of the entities of the Dubai Economy and Tourism Department, Ahmed Ahli, stated: «In conjunction with Eid al-Fitr, the concerned authorities in Dubai have intensified their preparations to protect consumers and enhance compliance in markets by organizing inspection and surveillance campaigns on various commercial activities, especially shopping centers, clothing stores, perfume shops, gift shops, and sweet shops, which typically witness a surge in demand during the festive period.» He also added to «Emirates Today» that the department conducted 2,500 inspection tours on Dubai markets within 20 days and received a total of 7,500 complaints during that period. Ahli revealed that the department has established a comprehensive surveillance plan for Eid al-Fitr, involving intensifying field inspection tours on markets and shopping centers in various areas of the emirate to ensure that traders comply with laws and regulations protecting consumer rights. He pointed out that the festive season usually sees a significant increase in shopping and consumer spending, which necessitates enhancing field surveillance to ensure that commercial establishments adhere to price transparency, product quality, and service standards. Regarding the surveillance plan, Ahli said: «The surveillance plan prepared by the department focuses on several main axes, foremost of which is ensuring that commercial stores display prices clearly to consumers and do not impose any unjustified increases, in addition to guaranteeing the accuracy of promotional offers and discounts announced by stores during the Eid al-Fitr period.» He added that the inspection tours cover various areas of the emirate, including popular markets, large shopping centers, and retail outlets in residential neighborhoods. He continued: «The department also monitors the commitment of stores to transparently clarify the terms of promotional offers, ensuring that the consumer is fully aware of the details before completing the purchase. The surveillance also includes verifying the quality of products displayed in markets and ensuring they meet approved specifications, especially for products that witness high demand during the festive period.» He said: «Our primary goal is to ensure a safe and fair shopping experience for all consumers in Dubai by verifying that traders comply with laws related to prices, promotional offers, and return and exchange policies.» He noted that cooperation between government entities and traders plays a vital role in maintaining a fair and regulated business environment in the emirate. He continued: «We focus on intensive field presence to ensure compliance with laws, and at the same time, we work to raise traders' awareness of the importance of adhering to regulations, which enhances consumer confidence in the markets.» Ahli confirmed that protecting consumer rights is a top priority for the department, especially during seasons. He confirmed that «the department's teams deal with incoming complaints quickly and efficiently, investigating them and taking the necessary measures in accordance with applicable laws,» noting that reporting violations significantly contributes to market surveillance and ensuring compliance with approved standards. Enhancing Dubai's reputation as a leading shopping destination The Acting Director of the Consumer Protection Department at the Dubai Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Establishment, one of the entities of the Dubai Economy and Tourism Department, Ahmed Ahli, stated that the surveillance efforts exerted by the department aim primarily to enhance trust between consumers and traders and maintain a transparent and fair business environment in Dubai. He said: «Many commercial establishments also proactively adopt practices that enhance transparency, such as clarifying return and exchange policies and offering clear deals to consumers,» noting that this cooperation contributes to enhancing Dubai's reputation as a leading shopping destination in the region. Ahli reiterated that the department continues to implement its surveillance plan throughout the Eid al-Fitr period to ensure market stability and protect consumer rights. He said: «We are keen to enable all members of the community to enjoy the atmosphere of Eid al-Fitr and shop with confidence and peace of mind, which is why we continue to intensify our surveillance and awareness efforts to ensure compliance with laws and achieve the best shopping experience in Dubai markets.» He explained that promotional offers launched by stores during the festive season receive special attention from inspection teams, which verify the accuracy of the announced discounts and ensure that consumers are not misled. He noted that the department is keen to ensure that all promotional offers announced are genuine, reflect actual discounts, and that prices before and after the discount are clearly displayed to the consumer. Ahli stressed that «the laws in Dubai require stores to obtain the necessary permits before launching any promotional campaigns, and also mandate adherence to the announced prices throughout the promotion period,» explaining that these measures aim to enhance market transparency and ensure that consumers get the best value for their money. Ahli urged consumers to report any illegal commercial practices or violations they might notice while shopping, saying: «We encourage consumers to contact the department in case they notice any violation, such as unclear prices, non-compliance with promotional offers, or any unfair commercial practices».
