Ministry of Economy inspects Carrefour at City Centre Deira

The Ministry of Economy continues its series of announced inspections to markets and retail stores across the UAE during the holy month of Ramadan in efforts to control prices and ensure the honouring of sales offers and initiatives launched ahead of the holy month. The visits are also intended to sustain good business practices and protect the UAE’s consumers.

Dr Hashim Saeed Al Nuaimi, director of the ministry’s Consumer Protection Department, led the latest inspection visit to Carrefour’s City Centre Deira outlet in Dubai. Representatives from Carrefour – Majid Al Futtaim’s management and a number of local media representatives were present.

Responding to inquiries by Dr Al Nuaimi, Carrefour’s management clarified that it has launched three reduction campaigns with price cuts of between 30-and-70% involving a total value of up to AED15 million for the current Ramadan month. This is in addition to the holiday (‘Eid’) campaign, which begins towards end of June.

The management added that since the beginning of the holy season, three special Ramadan baskets worth AED100 for 13 items, AED200 for 21 items and AED300 for 28 items have been offered that reduce prices by up to 20%.

They also confirmed Carrefour’s commitment to the price fixing initiative for 2016 announced in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy involving 161 select consumer and food items.

Dr Al Nuaimi noted that the ministry is keen to ensure the sufficiency of items in the country’s various markets and assure that all commodities are available to meet consumer needs. He added that the ministry has not received any complaint about the insufficiency of items or monopolist practices so far.

Dr Al Nuaimi further affirmed that all of the UAE’s markets are well-controlled, and that the ministry will continue its declared and surprise inspections. A total of 310 of such visits have been conducted since the beginning of the holy month, with the ministry aiming for 400 by the end of Ramadan.