Small traders make it big on Co-op discounts

It is a normal sight to see customers throng a food items retailer offering large discounts. But at Sharjah Cooperative Society outlets, they have to jostle and compete with small traders to get fruits, vegetables and other food items sold at discounted price as part of the Ramadan Charity drive. 

Grocers and traders are quick to stock up the subsidised items and making a quick buck by reselling them in the open market.

Workers at a Sharjah Cooperative outlet said: “We have a special Ramadan promotion and prices of vegetables have been fixed at comparatively lower price than other commercial establishments. The price of a kilo of potato, onion or tomato was fixed at 95 fils. Middle class customers have come in large numbers to our outlet.Vegetable oils, rice and other food products are also sold on discount."

"We have run out of stock and sale is regulated to one customer one packet. One customer cannot buy bulk quantity of the discounted products,” said the manager, who did not wish to be named. The discounted price of a kilo of apple has been 95 fils, while the market price is much higher. So is the price of commonly used drink Vito, sold at Dh4, compared to nearly Dh9.50 in other stores.

Consumer Cooperative Union of Sharjah officials said about 252 products are sold at discounted rate and co-branded products cannot be resold in the market. The UAE Ministry of Economy had charted out a detailed plan to control prices during Ramadan, and advised various market players to regulate prices of 700 key Ramadan-related commodities in 70 outlets across the UAE.

In some cooperatives, only families are allowed to purchase the discounted products because traders and grocers are also buying and stocking for resale.

"We went to buy the discounted products, but could not get because there is always big crowd and the sale is regulated. The sales people advised us to come back after they add new stock on Monday," said a disappointed customer.

“We heard about the Ramadan promotion in Sharjah Cooperative. It seems they got a special subsidy for Ramadan sales. Some products like Nido were sold at considerable discount, attracting many customers to buy and stock the stuff. Now some of the items have run out of stock,” he said.

“We heard about the discount sale and rushed to purchase some products. However, the store run out of stock and they have started regulating customers buying bulk quantity. I could buy only limited quantity of discounted products,” said Ajay, an Indian customer living in Sharjah.

“We have been running the Ramadan promotion for the last one week and the response has been quite good. We have special Ramadan brochures, listing the discounted price of products and our customers are happy,” said the customer relations manager of Union Cooperative Society Al Rashidiya.

”We have been busy with customers as our one month Ramadan promotion is well received. Customers like the discounted prices for various products,” said another worker in Al Mankhool, Union Cooperative Society.

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