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Ramadan 2025 in UAE: Residents save big by buying in bulk ahead of holy month
Many expats are also emphasising that thoughtful planning helps reduce food waste by ensuring versatile ingredients are on hand for a variety of meals
- PUBLISHED: Wed 12 Feb 2025, 5:30 AM
As Ramadan approaches, UAE residents are taking advantage of volume discount to save big on their purchases, ahead of the festive season.
Hypermarkets, supermarkets and even local baqalas have begun offering bulk Ramadan deals, allowing shoppers to stock up early.
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Many expats are making the most of the trend, emphasising that thoughtful planning helps reduce food waste by ensuring versatile ingredients are on hand for a variety of meals, without the need for frequent grocery runs.
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Shoppers are also recommending setting a budget for decorations and clothing, focusing on what’s truly essential rather than succumbing to impulse purchases.
Residents buy electrical appliances
Abu Dhabi resident Zoya Shaikh has purchased a bigger fridge ahead of the holy month, as cooking grand meals during this time of the year is a common tradition.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, the Indian expat said, “I bought a new four-door French door refrigerator for Dh3,000, which I feel is a good deal, mainly to have extra freezer storage for Ramadan. It’s a stylish and spacious fridge. The freezer is great — I plan to stock it with Shami kebabs, Russian cutlets, and samosas which is a favourite of my family members."
Zoya highlighted she prioritises spirituality during Ramadan while minimising daily household tasks. To achieve this, she buys produce in bulk and preps and freezes various iftar items, helping her save both time and money.
“Processing food at home, like making tomato purée, pre-cutting vegetables and shredding chicken, is one of the best money-saving hacks,” said the entrepreneur, who operates an arts and crafts company. “Homemade alternatives to pre-packaged items can save hundreds of dirhams. Since fasting while working can drain your energy, planning ahead during Ramadan helps conserve energy, time and money,” added Zoya.
Online sales and cashback offers
Others noted that taking advantage of online sales and cashback offers on Ramadan essentials can also make a big difference in overall spending.
American expat Shukri Deria said, “Pre-Ramadan preparations are in full swing. We do stock up on groceries, taking advantage of bulk discounts that have started. However, we don’t cook in batches — except for the occasional soup. No one wants to eat the same thing every day, except for samosas.
“But with better planning, I feel one can save money while making the most of these deals whether in-store or online. Stocking up early on non-perishable essentials prevents last-minute spending at peak prices. Buying in bulk for staple items like rice, flour and lentils can potentially reduce costs over the month.”
She added, “I was checking out decorations and there’s already a blowout sale on Ramadan lighting and accessories on Temu. Every website has started showcasing their beautiful Ramadan collections.”
Many residents explained that decorating homes for Ramadan and Eid is an important tradition that enhances the spiritual and festive atmosphere.
Using discount coupons and promo codes
Jordanian expat Zain Osama said, “We buy a lot of decoration items…from crescent moons and lanterns to themed table settings and twinkling lights. These decorations symbolise the special essence of the holy month.”
She emphasised while all this is exciting, it can simultaneously be expensive, especially while opting for premium or high-quality goods.
“Many people including our family, purchase decorations during sales, reusing items from previous years and sometimes opting for DIY crafts to make the celebrations more personal. Actually, it’s the presents and clothes that are typically more expensive. Several online marketplaces and local stores in UAE often offer special discounts without really overspending,” added Zain.
Residents stressed another effective strategy is using discount coupons and promo codes, which are often available on retailer websites, mobile apps, or through newsletters. These can apply to groceries, travel, dining and even utility bills, making everyday expenses more manageable.
Discounts can be psychologically tempting
While many assume consumption increases during Ramadan, some expats find themselves eating less and being more mindful of their purchases.
Pakistani national Nadia Saleem said, “As our daily routines change, we end up eating less rather than more. I only purchase special items like dates for Iftar drinks. While shorter work hours give us more time to cook, shopping while fasting often leads to impulse buys. Discounts can be psychologically tempting — buying in bulk may seem like a way to save, but it often results in items that go unused, leading to more time spent organising and ultimately spending more.”
