Image used for representation only
The residential retail market has witnessed a major increase in sales as many people tend to buy groceries at shops in the neighbourhood during the evening hours.
Speaking to The Peninsula, several shopkeepers signalled that evenings of Ramadan are one of the most profitable time-frames of the year. “The sales is doing exceptionally well as we get a lot of customers in the evening,” said, Sabith, a shopkeeper at one of the groceries in Fereej bin Omran.
Highlighting the most-visited time by the buyers, he said: “Iftar time is considered the busiest of all during Ramadan with many people coming to shop as they prepare to break their fast.” Located near Hamad Medical City, the area has numerous shops enabling the residents to buy goods according to their convenience. Most of the shops, thus have a home delivery service free of cost.
“We do get calls from nearby residents for delivery and charge them with no fee. However, our in-store activity looks stronger with customers visiting us frequently,” Sabith added.
Groceries in Qatar are witnessing a huge number of food commodities with well-versed supply quotas and cheaper items attracting buyers. However, salespersons across the country anticipate steady growth throughout the holy month. “Our store has gained in terms of business and sales we offer to our customers. Although mornings are quiet, evenings make up for it due to Iftar and Suhoor as people come to shop for their essentials,” said, Mathew, a shopkeeper.
The outlets continue to provide goods and items enabling convenient approaches for the customers, who reside just a few blocks away.
He said that “The residents here are one of the primary reasons why we benefit as they get easy access including our door-to-door services.”
“I am hopeful that the grocery activities will continue their flow throughout this year resulting in a positive market trend,” he added.
Earlier, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) announced a list of 913 consumer goods with affordable and discounted prices during the holy month of Ramadan. The discounted items introduced this year are more than the list of goods offered in 2022, driving the force of consumer engagement.
The ministry stated in a recent statement that the initiative stems from its efforts over the past years to launch such initiatives to provide citizens and residents with food items and commodities at decreased prices during this month, which is a high-demand season.
Some of the discounted consumer goods include all vital and essential commodities during the blessed month, like flour, sugar, rice, pasta, chicken, oil, milk, and other foodstuffs, in addition to non-food commodities such as paper tissues, tin foil (aluminum), detergents of all kinds, washing powders and other commodities of relative significance to consumers, which are frequently consumed during Ramadan
MOCI also outlined that it has coordinated with all grocery and retail stores to diminish the financial burdens on consumers by adding Ramadan packages.
