Ramadan 2023: How UAE residents can prepare for Ramadan – News

Supermarkets in the country have been offering deep discounts on several popular products during Ramadan

As Ramadan is approaching, households are stocking up on Ramadan essentials. Supermarkets across the country are offering deep discounts and deals on a variety of products that are particularly in-demand during the month.

For Maheen Husainy, a German of Pakistani descent, oil, lentils and samosa flakes are the most sought-after items in her house this month.

“We use a lot of oil in our house,” she said. “So I’m always on the lookout for oil deals. I also like to stock up on everyday household items like cleaning supplies and spices so I don’t have to worry about that during Ramadan.”

The mother-of-two, who is also preparing to host her in-laws at home during Ramadan, said she wanted to start shopping and prepping early. “I didn’t get any big deals because I shopped early,” she said. “There are a lot of things that only come into my house during Ramadan. Like Rooh Afza, Tang and of course fried food. I buy all the basics as well as flour, chickpeas, frozen chicken and keema (minced meat) As stuffing etc.”

Maheen said that while she usually prefers to shop online, for Ramadan shopping she went to brick-and-mortar stores. “When you see them in the store, you remember a lot,” she said. “Also, with things like chickpeas, I prefer to check before buying.”

She said she has spent the past few days preparing her family’s favorite meals for Ramadan. “My family is very picky about how Ramadan snacks are prepared,” she said. “Samosas are a specific recipe that I’ve followed for years. I also soak and grind urad dal and freeze it in batches to make a traditional dish called boondi. It’s a recipe passed down to me by my in-laws, always at Made during Ramadan.”

Mariam, a Dubai resident from Jordan, said she hoped to finish her shopping this weekend. “I’ve been waiting for the Ramadan deals that usually start last weekend,” she said.

Cooking for a family of two, she said she tends to stock up on non-perishable items. “I buy a lot of lentils because we have lentil soup every day,” she said. “I also buy rice, canned goods and pasta. I buy fruit, vegetables and meat or chicken as needed.”

Mariam says she prefers to shop online, but like Maheen, she prefers to shop in-store before Ramadan. “As you browse the aisles, you see it and remember it,” she says. However, she said she would prefer not to go to the supermarket during Ramadan. “Everyone was angry and grumpy during Ramadan, including me,” she said. “So I prefer to shop online and it will be delivered to my house when I get home from get off work. It means, I can prepare a meal quickly.”

Meanwhile, supermarkets in the country have been offering deep discounts on several commonly used products during Ramadan. Carrefour kicked off its Ramadan campaign on February 21, offering discounts of up to 50% on more than 6,000 products. Bernardo Perloiro, GCC Chief Operating Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Retail, said: “We have seen an increase in the purchase of food products, especially essentials such as cooking oil, dates, fresh meat, vegetables and fruits, desserts, dairy products.”

Kamal Vachani, director and partner of Al Maya Group, said that customers are very concerned about the products in the supermarket. “Customers are looking at premium products and new products,” he said. “Staples are the most essential items, then very specific products like water, Vimto, rum, chicken, meat, rice, beans and baked goods. “

Other grocery retailers want customers to be able to shop both online and in-store. Marc Laurent, president of GMG consumer products, which manages Aswaaq and Geant, said they have seen a trend of people using omnichannel. “Customers will be looking online for deals, range and also going to physical stores to experience and try out the range and quality of the items,” he said. “We’re seeing an uptick in fresh food and fresh produce shopping as we approach Ramadan.”

Online shopping and delivery services are also catering to demand by offering several discounts. Talabat Mart is offering up to 75% off on 5 new items every day. Data shared by Talabat during Ramadan last year showed that the most ordered item on the app was bananas, and that they were ordered between 2am and 4am.