• Home

Discount Stores Boom Amid Recession

A leading company in the field, Emirates Market (EM), which operates five stores in the UAE, has achieved some 15 per cent net profits over the last few months.

The store sells clothes, toys, perfumes and foodstuff.

Ahmed Sayed Abdullah, EM Manager said that the department store attracts some 90 per cent of the workers in the Industrial Area at the Ajman branch.

“We also have customers from the AGCC, Arab and foreign countries. They buy cheap products, basically foodstuff at affordable prices,” he added. Zahra, a young customer there, was buying perfumes and accessories when we met him. “I come every week to see what’s here. They offer very attractive stuff,” she said.

Offering diverse goods from 
different countries, including China, Thailand and India, Makka Markets (MM) has recently achieved profits of 35 per cent.

“It is the quality and reasonable prices that gain us more popularity, not only among expatriates, but nationals as well,” said Abdul Fattah Mohammed, MM Manager.

Roua Abdulalim, an Egyptian pharmacist and a mother of two, was shopping there with her basket full. “I usually go shopping during the weekends. I prefer this store to the others because of its regular promotions and high quality stuff,” she said.

Though upset with the increasing rents, salespersons’ pending visas and road works blocking the way to his shop, Jaber Ghaffari, manager of Happy Day Store, said he has been recently lucky enough to win over more customers.

“Despite the financial plunge, more customers hunt for my goods, which are offered at only Dh1-5,” he said, noting that shoppers are mainly interested in buying household items therein.

Shahram Mansuri, manager of M-City Mart, believed most consumers nowadays cut down on discretionary and luxury spending and are attracted to the discount retailers.

“Though we are only a few months old, we are gaining ground. Customers opt for our low-priced, yet good quality products,” he said, elaborating that nearly 90 per cent of the Dh1-10 goods available in his store are imported from China. Emran Ali, a Pakistani engineer, said he is used to accompanying 
his family every week to the store to buy clothes, household items and accessories.

“The toys being sold here are very good value for money,” he explained.

Meanwhile, popular the Dh1-2 Splash Chain, based in Sharjah, has gained in popularity, exceeding 30 per cent in sales since October.

Mohammed Ibrahim, manager, said his customers, added 15 per cent to the store’s profits. “Our products are imported from China, India and Iran,” he said.

Saeed Salem, a media person from Oman, said the store’s fame spoke volumes. “I want to buy toys for my five children who like the place very much. The store is full of fascinating and colourful toys, all at reasonable prices,” he said.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtims.com

• UAE