Dh100,000 fine for groceries hiking prices

UAE groceries taking advantage of lower consumer prices at major shopping outlets during the fasting month of Ramdan to make quick profits will be fined up to Dh100,000, according to the ministry of economy.

A senior ministry official said inspectors would be deployed in the market before and during Ramadan to ensure no groceries would buy at lower prices and sell their products at much higher prices to the end consumers.

Consumer Protection Director Hashim Al Nuaimi said inspectors would request to see the purchase bills by those groceries to ensure they comply with prices.

“We want to make sure if the groceries buy their products directly or from major shopping outlets which will cut prices for Ramadan…groceries found to have bought from those shopping outlets and selling their products at high prices will be fined between Dh5,000 and Dh100,000,” he said, quoted by local Arabic language dailies.

He said consumer items at cooperative societies and other key shopping outlets would be cut by 30-40 per cent during Ramadan.

 

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