Ramadan Discounts: Union Co-op 70% cut on 1,000 items

Union Co-op has announced a Ramadan budget of Dh50 million, offering discounts and subsidised pricing across 1,000 products during the fasting month.

The retail chain further states its ‘Happy Ramadan’ promotion, which starts Thursday, will offer discounts up to 70 per cent across food and non-food items.

The company is also forecasting a sales target of Dh500m for the period of Ramadan.

Speaking to ‘Emirates24|7’ Khalid Humaid bin Diban Al Falasi, General Manager, Union Co-op, said: “We are running three separate promotions during Ramadan: one for 36 days, the second which will be a single-day promotion on Zayed Day [19th day of the fasting month] and a third during the last 10 days.”

He continued: “This year, we have budgeted Dh50m for our Ramadan promotions, doubling from the Dh25m we had announced last year.

“In the initial phase, we will roll out with a Dh25 million target budget, spread across 1,000 products - 90 per cent food and 10 per cent as non-food items. After 10 days, and depending on stock supplies, we can extend the discounts up to Dh50m worth, which will be our cut off.”

The company added it is anticipating a jump in sales during this period, with Al Falasi stating: “Last year, the period of Ramadan garnered nearly Dh450m worth of sales for us; we are expecting a Dh50m rise this period to take the sales up to Dh500m.”

Talking further about discounts and offer, Al Falasi reiterated across the 1,000 products, Ramadan staples such as rice, fresh chicken, vegetables, milk, sugar, oil, etc. will be discounted or sold in bundle offers, with a price cut of up to 70 per cent in some cases.

However, those who are wondering, Vimto will not be on offer, but a similar in-house product which is currently retailed at Dh6.50 will see its price drop further by Dh2.

Talking about ensuring supplies remain intact during the fasting month, Al Falasi stated a system will be implemented to limit purchases per person, further ensuring the practice of bulk buying does not deplete stocks.

He said: “We have a computerised system in place whereby an individual will only be able to purchase a set number of the same item at the discounted price. If he or she crosses that limit, the price of the product will automatically be hiked up to the regular pricing structure.

“This further ensures that stocks are not depleted and everyone can take advantage of the discounts that will be on offer.”

Last year, the Department of Consumer Protection in the Ministry of Economy had cracked down on grocery shops that were caught bulk buying products and low prices at hypermarkets during Ramadan and reselling the products at higher rates at their shops.

When quizzed, Al Falasi said that issue has been effectively tackled with their new system in place.

“Last year, there had been several cases of such incidences occurring, but due to our purchase limit per individual, this issue has been taken care this year,” he assured.  

Meanwhile, the company, which has 14 branches across Dubai and Ajman, continues to have 134 items, both food and non-perishables, price locked until the end of 2015.

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