Pic: Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula.
DOHA: The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) announced yesterday that shopping malls and retail outlets could extend working hours throughout the holy month of Ramadan without obtaining prior approval. The announcement is a good news for customers and retailers as the buyers will get extra time for shopping while retailers will see their sales going up during holy month.
All shopping mall and retail outlets (supermarkets, hypermarkets and others) could extend working hours to 24 hours per day in line with efforts to stimulate commercial sectors, said the Ministry in a statement. Before
Ramadan, most of the major retailers remained open until midnight. The initiative comes within the framework of the Ministry’s Ramadan initiatives under the theme #Aqal_Min_Al_Wajeb” the Arabic for “#The_Least_We_Can_Do”.
Retailers are required to inform about the extended timing to the customers as the ministry has urged all malls and retail outlets to clearly inform consumers of the new schedule.
Earlier this month, more than 500 essential consumer goods including food and non-food items became cheaper after the Ministry of Economy and Commerce issued a discounted Ramadan price list on May 6. The discounted price list covered 509 items such as milk, chicken, rice, flour, sugar and edible oil among others.
Even before this initiative by the Ministry, most of the major shopping malls and hypermarkets had launched various offers and discounts to attract customers. Throughout the holy month, shopping malls and retail outlets attract a large number of people during limited working hours.
“Given the unique nature of Ramadan when time is divided between praying, working, commuting, and shopping among other preoccupations, we have urged shopping malls and retail outlets to extend working hours and inform consumers of the new hours so they can better plan their schedule and choose a convenient time for shopping,” said the Ministry.
Residents have welcomed the new initiative by the ministry saying that they would now have more time for shopping. “It is difficult to go for shopping while we are fasting during the day and night is convenient time to go to malls and shops. The extra time will give us more flexibility in planning our shopping,” a resident told The Peninsula.
