During the holy month of Ramadan, over 95 percent of businesses in Dubai adhered to regulations regarding price mechanisms and consumer protection, leading to a significant reduction in consumer complaints. Ahmad Ali Moosa, the director of the Consumer Protection Department at the Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade (DCCPFT), emphasized this positive trend, stating that the compliance resulted in only minor complaints, primarily from the construction and maintenance sectors.

Ahmad shared insights from an inspection tour conducted by the DCCPFT. He noted that the inspections were ongoing throughout Ramadan, with his team monitoring market prices to ensure compliance. “Approximately 95 percent of the market followed the rules. Therefore, we didn’t have many complaints related to price hikes,” he explained in an interview with Khaleej Times. He added that violations were minimal, with most complaints related to cold calling and car rental firms not returning deposits.

On the inspection day, Ahmad led the team through a shopping mall to check the market’s readiness for Eid Al Fitr. They visited various retail outlets, including hypermarkets selling sweets, shoes, and jewelry. The inspectors verified prices of essential goods like frozen items, rice, and drinks, ensuring that promotional pricing and loyalty discounts were correctly displayed. When inspectors encountered retailers without price tags, they issued warnings and scheduled follow-up inspections to enforce compliance.

The DCCPFT’s approach emphasizes education over punishment. Ahmad explained that the goal is to enhance the business experience in Dubai while ensuring consumer rights are upheld. He highlighted that inspections are conducted randomly to maintain market integrity and that any violations are addressed promptly.

Each inspection typically lasts between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the outlet’s size. Ahmad reiterated the importance of transparency in pricing, stating that such practices bolster consumer confidence, especially during peak shopping seasons like Eid Al Fitr. He assured that the DCCPFT is committed to ensuring fair trade practices and preventing market manipulation.