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29 March 2024

Suppliers illegally raising prices of some products

Some shopping outlets are accepting these demands and buying from those suppliers at higher prices because they want to make sure all items are available for consumers even at higher prices. (AGENCIES)

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By Staff

Suppliers are pressing key shopping outlets in the UAE to raise prices of some products without getting approval from the competent authorities and this is adversely affecting consumers, an official was reported on Sunday as saying.

Faisal Al Arshi, deputy director of the Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society said the Society had rejected demands by suppliers to raise the prices of nearly 20 consumer i8tems over the past two months, adding that dealers were told to get prior approval from the Higher Committee for Consumers Protection (HCCP).

Quoted by the Arabic language daily Alkhaleej, he said the price hikes ranged between five and 20 per cent and they covered a wide range of products including soap, spices, nuts, toot paste, crisps and some sweets.

The suppliers have also demanded hikes in the prices of date, which is an unjustified request since date is produced locally and should not be included in the list of products which they say are costing more globally, he said.

“We are facing a real problem…some major shopping outlets are accepting parts of the demands by suppliers for higher prices and this is negatively affecting consumers and the ability of these outlets to confront the phenomenon of higher prices in the country,” Al Arshi said.

“Authorities are called upon to intensify their control of the prices of these products at all outlets to ensure they are sold at approved prices to protect consumers and curb the phenomenon of rising prices.”

Al Arshi said suppliers know “very well” the procedures needed to raise the price of any consumer items but added they are still demanding higher prices without seeking approval from the HCCP.

“Some shopping outlets are accepting these demands and buying from those suppliers at higher prices because they want to make sure all items are available for consumers even at higher prices,” he said.

“Unfortunately, by supporting the consumers by rejecting any price hikes, the Abu Dhabi Co-op has been hurt as this has sometimes caused a shortage in many products at the Co-op branches at a time when many other shopping outlets sell these products at high prices.”