Ramadan with no price hikes: UAE retailers offer up to 70% discounts

As shoppers begin filling their trolleys weeks before the crescent moon is sighted, supermarkets across the UAE have been ready for Ramadan, in some cases as early as 5 months in advance.

For retailers, Ramadan is not merely a peak sales period but a carefully orchestrated operation built on forecasting, early supplier negotiations, and targeted promotions designed to ease the burden on families.

As Khaleej Times previously reported, the UAE Ministry of Economy has affirmed that prices of nine basic food items will not increase during Ramadan 2026, ensuring essential goods remain affordable throughout the holy month.

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At a press conference at its headquarters in Al Warqa City Mall, Union Coop unveiled its Ramadan strategy to support families and maintain market stability. The campaign offers discounts of up to 60 per cent on more than 3,000 food and non-food products, including rice, oils, flour, sugar, poultry, eggs, dates, and fresh and frozen items across all branches and online platforms. The prices of more than 160 essential goods have been frozen for the month.Ramadan prayer timings

CEO Mohamed Al Hashemi said the campaign falls under the UAE’s ‘Year of the Family’ initiative and aligns with national efforts to ease living costs during Ramadan. He added that the cooperative currently offers over 6,000 locally produced products and continues a price reduction and stabilisation initiative launched three years ago, with product lists reviewed monthly based on demand.

Long-term preparation, retailers say, is key to preventing sudden price fluctuations and supply shortages.

“We prepare Ramadan five months in advance,” said Carlos Fatas Bermudez, General Manager of Alaswaq Alwatania. “We want to avoid price increases that can happen during certain periods of the year. We don’t increase any price during Ramadan.”

Early planning, he explained, allows retailers to secure supply contracts, lock in prices, and ensure availability during what he describes as the UAE's biggest sales period of the year.

A central part of the strategy includes promotions on 500 essential products, with discounts of up to 70 per cent on selected items.

“These include confectionery, commodities, oil, rice, flour, water, milk, long shelf-life milk, and traditional Ramadan items like syrups,” he said. “Not all products have the same level of discount, but we prepare these essentials well in advance to offer strong promotions.”

Consumption patterns follow a predictable rhythm. In the three months leading up to Ramadan, shoppers tend to stock up on long-lasting goods such as rice, sugar, and canned goods. In the final week particularly the two to three days before fasting begins, demand shifts sharply toward fresh produce, dairy, and bakery products.

“There are two different timings for Ramadan consumption,” Bermudez said. “Three months before is for long shelf-life products. The week before and two or three days before are daily products: yoghurt, fruits and vegetables, groceries.”

Bulk buying has also become a defining feature of the season, with families opting for larger quantities to maximise savings through bundle promotions.

“We prepare bigger quantities with higher discounts than if the customer buys small quantities,” he said. “Bundle and bulk sales promotions will be there, especially in the days before Ramadan starts.”

To avoid disruptions, retailers diversify sourcing and negotiate volumes months in advance.

“You cannot rely on only one origin or one supplier. We need to diversify,” Bermudez added, noting that early agreements help stabilise pricing and ensure availability.

Consumer behaviour is also becoming increasingly strategic.

“We start to see volumes 15 days before Ramadan. We see big trolleys, customers buying 20 litres of oil for one family,” he said. “They see a good promotion and they anticipate. They calculate for the full period of Ramadan and buy their essentials.”

Preparation timelines, however, vary depending on the retailer’s scale and supply network.

Jithin Janardhanan, department head at Al Hoot hypermarket, said preparations typically intensify about a month before Ramadan.

“We increase quantities, especially for key items, based on previous sales histories and the data we have,” he said.

Food and beverage products account for the largest share of demand. Staple items such as rice, flour, sugar, cooking oil, lentils, and dates see significant sales increases, alongside vermicelli, custard powder, jelly, frozen samosas, and spring rolls. Fresh meat and frozen chicken also record strong demand.

In beverages, laban, yoghurt drinks, and traditional Ramadan juices are among the most sought-after products.

Beyond food, household goods experience higher turnover during the holy month, while clothing sales typically rise closer to Eid as families prepare for celebrations.

To manage the seasonal surge, retailers closely monitor market pricing trends and concentrate promotions over weekends when footfall peaks. Competitive pricing during Ramadan, Janardhanan noted, often translates into better value for consumers on staple goods compared to other times of the year.

To prevent shortages, inventory levels for fast-moving items are increased, with additional buffer stock maintained.

“We are keeping additional quantities for Ramadan items to ensure there is no shortage, especially for products that move quickly,” he said.

Purchasing activity often intensifies toward the end of the month when salaries are credited, further shaping shopping patterns.

For many households, higher spending reflects not only increased consumption but also the spirit of generosity that defines the holy month.

Khawla Essa, a consumer, said she focuses on buying products that are genuinely useful during promotional periods, though she sometimes adds extra items simply because they are on offer.

“During Ramadan, we need more products because we cook more and give out more food,” she said, explaining that she prepares meals for her family as well as to share with neighbours.

As retailers rely on data, diversified supply chains, and early negotiations to keep shelves stocked and prices stable, shoppers are blending tradition with increasingly calculated spending, making Ramadan a season defined by both generosity and careful planning.