The Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) is keeping a tight watch on misleading promotions of grocery shops and outlets that take advantage of consumers this holy month of Ramadan.
The SEDD has implemented stricter monitoring of shops and outlets in Sharjah following reports of grocery shops and outlets luring consumers by posting fake discounts of up to 70 per cent, reported Khaleej Times.
Some consumers reported that stores buy discounted goods in supermarkets and sell it to residential areas at a higher cost.
Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi, director of Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Economy, said they are already coordinating with municipalities to stop these illegal activities. He also assured the public that the 70 per cent discount offered in hypermarkets and cooperative societies are legitimate.
Meanwhile, Ali Fadel, head of the department of trade protection in SEDD, vowed to track down shops that employ misleading promotions. He added that the department will ensure quality of goods sold in stores are of quality and that these stores follow VAT guidelines.
Stores that will employ promotional offers will need to secure permit from the SEDD. The permit will only be issued once the store meets all standards set by SEDD. Violators will be required to pay a hefty fine.
Fadel also reminded the public to avoid buying products from unlicensed online websites that offer consumers substandard goods.
