Dubai Consumer Protection intensifies inspections during back-to-school season, with more than 500 market inspections conducted and 800 targeted by month-end
Dubai: Retail outlets in Dubai are required to clearly display the discount percentage as well as the price before and after any discount to ensure consumers can accurately assess offers and make informed purchasing decisions, according to Dubai Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Establishment.
Ahmed Ahli, Acting Director of Consumer Protection at the Dubai Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Establishment, part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, said consumers should be able to clearly identify both the original and discounted prices of products rather than relying solely on advertised discount percentages.
Speaking during an inspection tour of Dubai Hills Mall as part of the annual Back-to-School campaign, Ahli said field inspections are continuing across retail outlets in the emirate to monitor compliance with regulations governing prices and promotional offers.
He said displaying the original price, discounted price and discount percentage is a fundamental requirement for ensuring transparency in retail promotions.
“For outlets that offer discounts, it is not enough to display only a discount percentage such as 25% or 75%. They must also clearly show the price before and after the discount so consumers can understand the original value of the product and the final amount they will pay,” Ahli said.
More than 500 inspection campaigns completed
Ahli revealed that inspection teams have carried out more than 500 inspection campaigns so far and aim to reach 800 campaigns by the end of August.
He said the visits are designed to monitor compliance with pricing regulations, detect violations and ensure that promotional offers accurately reflect actual prices.
“The goal is to ensure a fair and transparent shopping experience and provide consumers with clear information that enables them to compare products and make informed purchase decisions,” he said.
The Dubai Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Establishment has urged consumers to pay close attention to offer details, verify both previous and discounted prices and report any practices they believe do not comply with consumer protection requirements.
Two types of inspections
According to Ahli, inspection campaigns take two forms.
The first involves comprehensive inspections of retail outlets, during which teams examine shelves, product availability, inventory levels and compliance with product display and promotional requirements.
The second consists of random inspections that focus on selected products within stores to verify compliance with regulations.
He noted that inspections cover branches of retail chains across different shopping centres and are not limited to a single store location.
Inspection teams also guide retailers on the requirements for displaying products that are part of promotions, particularly because shelves and product inventories change daily.
Clear information required for promotions
Ahli said retailers must clearly identify products included in promotional campaigns and explain the exact nature of each offer.
For example, promotions such as “Buy Two, Get One Free” must be clearly displayed alongside the participating products or within their designated display areas.
He added that the authority’s inspection campaigns are conducted proactively to reduce complaints, educate retailers about compliance requirements and raise public awareness of consumer rights.
Back-to-school offers
Ahli said back-to-school products are currently widely available across retail outlets in Dubai, offering consumers a broad range of choices across different price categories.
He noted that discounts on back-to-school products generally range between 25% and 30%, although some promotions can reach 75% on selected items.
According to Ahli, newer products and recently launched collections typically carry smaller discounts, while products that are purchased annually often feature deeper promotional offers, providing shoppers with a wider range of options during the back-to-school season.
He emphasised that ongoing market monitoring helps ensure transparency, strengthens compliance among retailers and protects consumer rights during key shopping periods.
Source: Emirates 24|7