Retail outlets and cooperatives in Dubai and Sharjah have launched extensive promotions for Eid al-Fitr with discounts of up to 50%. At the same time, consumers told 'Emirates Today' they were pleased and welcomed the extension of promotional periods until the end of March this year (after the Eid al-Fitr holiday). They said this gives families additional opportunities to shop after the holiday at different times. During its field visit, 'Emirates Today' noted that these discounts cover medium-sized retail outlets and supermarket chains, and are not limited to large retail outlets. The offers included food items, most notably: rice, cooking oils, meat products, poultry, fish, a variety of vegetables and fruits, sugar, nuts, and confectionery and chocolate products, as well as personal care and fragrance items. On the other hand, officials in the retail sector said that expanding holiday promotions keeps pace with market competition, meets consumer needs, and confirms the abundance of goods and products in the markets. In detail, consumer Samer Mahmoud said: 'Markets are currently witnessing a large number of discount promotions during Eid al-Fitr, which include food and consumer goods, as well as products that are in high demand during Eid, such as sweets and chocolate.' He considered this one of the positive signs that bring comfort, as it allows for purchasing holiday necessities at low prices and at different times. Consumer Salah Amer said: 'One of the most notable observations about Eid al-Fitr promotions in the country's markets today is the continuation of these promotions for long periods after the holiday, until the end of this March, which allows families to shop at different times.' In the same context, consumer Samah Abdel Ghani said that 'the expansion in promotions that covered many retail outlets and cooperatives provided consumers with alternatives and multiple shopping options, especially with the extension of many promotions for several days after the holiday season, which is useful and welcome to families as it allows for shopping at different times.' Meanwhile, the CEO of 'Al Ittihad Cooperative', Mohamed Al Hashemi, said: 'The Eid al-Fitr season promotions, which were launched in various cooperative outlets in Dubai markets, include discounts of up to 50% on various goods.' He pointed out that the 'Cooperative' took into account when launching promotions to meet the consumers' requirements during this period for the most in-demand goods during Eid. He added that 'the Cooperative offered as part of its Eid promotions a large number of basic food and consumer goods, especially those that receive great demand during Eid, such as nuts, sweets, chocolate, and fruit baskets that see increased demand before and during the Eid period'. On his part, the Director of Marketing and Public Relations at 'Sharjah Cooperative', Faisal Khalid Al Naboodah, said: 'Offering many goods that meet the needs of consuming families during the Eid al-Fitr period is an important matter that the Cooperative strives to provide in all its sales outlets.' He added that Eid promotions in the Cooperative's outlets extend until March 29 of this year, which allows families to shop at different times. Al Naboodah confirmed that the Eid promotions did not witness any changes or shortages in the goods usually offered during this period, but rather witnessed an expansion in the types of goods and brands, which came with varying discounts of up to 50% for various products. In response to a question about goods stock, Al Naboodah said: 'The Cooperative has a sufficient stock of goods, including products included in discount promotions, which ensures that there is no shortage of any goods even with the increase in consumer demand during the Eid al-Fitr period'. In the same context, the Purchasing Manager of one of the retail chains, Dilip Vishal, said: 'One of the striking features in the country's markets during the current period is the spread of extensive Eid al-Fitr discount promotions that have reached 50%'. He added: 'The promotions during the current period were not limited to large hypermarkets only, but also included a significant expansion in medium-sized retail outlets, which is a positive indicator in the markets that meets the needs of consumers'. Meanwhile, the Head of Corporate Communications at 'LuLu Group', Nanda Kumar, said: 'The expansion of Eid al-Fitr promotions during the current period in the markets is an important phenomenon that confirms the abundance of goods stock in outlets and supply companies with the ability to offer large percentage discounts'. He added that 'the Eid promotions offered included a large number of food items most in demand by consumers during this period, whether from poultry and meat products, fish, sweets and fruits, nuts, chocolate, or perfumes'.
