DOHA: Several customers have complained that some shopping outlets are not properly displaying the Ramadan price list issued by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce.
The ministry issued the list ahead of Ramadan, fixing prices of 400 food and non-food items, including basic supplies like rice, sugar, wheat and edible oil and other foodstuffs that are in high demand during the fasting month.
The ministry asked all outlets to display the list in a prominent way for information for the public.
Many customers, who appreciated the ministry initiative, however, said there is a lack of awareness on the issue.
“There is no way to check whether shops are complying with the list, because customers do not know details. Shops may be displaying it but not in a visible manner,” said an Arab expatriate.
“Even if the list if there, it is not easy to identify a particular item from a long list of 400 items,” he added.
Customers would also fail to differentiate between prices fixed by the ministry and special Ramadan promotions offered by most shopping complexes.
“I don’t see much difference between promotions and the ministry list. Sometimes promotions are more attractive to customers,” a local Arabic daily quoted a Qatari as saying.
“A surge in the number of shopping complexes has led to stiff competition which is in favour of customers,” he added.
Some others believe that price discounts offered by shopping complexes are negligible.
“The difference would be not more than QR1 or less. The government price list is a good initiative but people should know about it,” said an expatriate.
All leading shopping outlets are bustling with visitors since the beginning of Ramadan.
Many have extended timing to 1am to 2am to cash in on the rush.
The Peninsula
