How you save on groceries at these stores
LOOKING FOR BIG GROCERY SHOPPING DISCOUNTS? HERE’S WHERE YOU CAN GET THE BEST DEALS, ALBEIT ON PRODUCTS NEARING EXPIRY
Get best deals, albeit on products nearing expiry, in Sharjah store |
If the expiry date of products is not your primary concern but saving is, then you should head to Sharjah’s Jamal Abdul Nasser Street to get unbelievable bargains on your groceries.
Offering combo deals and massive discounts, several stores along the street opposite Al Majaz Park sell food products and other consumables that are close to expiry dates, resulting in great bargains.
People are lapping up the offers. “There were only a couple of stores earlier, but over the last couple of years, this business has taken off as more people are becoming conscious buyers and Jamal Abdul Nasser [street] has become a hub for bargain stores selling products nearing expiry dates,” said Mohammad Anees, a storekeeper at one of the first discount stores that opened almost six years ago.
Initially targeted at low-income families — mainly those affected by the conflicts in Syria and Palestine — the concept found takers beyond its intended segment, with more than half a dozen stores now dealing only in short-validity items.
Packed with all types of edibles — branded and little known — with validity ranging from a couple of days to a few weeks, the discount stores are not just popular among budget conscious buyers of limited means, but also well-to-do people, according to the shop owners.
“It’s not just poor people who come here to buy essentials. We ■ have customers of all nationalities and backgrounds. Some of them drive here in Range Rovers and BMWs and walk out with full bags,” said Ahmad Nasser, a partner at Al Hara Al Shamia Supermarket, one of the bigger stores on the lane.
Big discounts, quick buys
Nasser, a joint owner of three such stores, including one in Ajman, has been in this business for around a year.
“This is a service that is needed by a lot of people, particularly now that the financial situation is not that great. We see that there is a demand and we’re just trying to supply what people want, in a better and bigger way, as a proper business concept,” added Nasser.
Customers at these grocery stores can expect to buy an item for a third or even fourth of its original price, but the catch is that you will have to consume the item as quickly as you can.
“People can expect to save up to 80 per cent or more on their groceries with us. We buy in bulk directly from distributors and sell only on small margins. Every day, we have fresh supplies coming in and they fly off the shelf as our prices are unbelievably low. These are products for immediate consumption, so people don’t mind even if the validity period is short,” said Mahfouz Safa, a manager at another discount store. From cheese and dates to yoghurt, biscuits and chocolates as well as frozen food, soft drinks and juices, the range of products is quite varied.
Mostly sold as combo offers in packs of twos and threes, items like spaghetti, olive oil, mayonnaise, sauces can be bought for as low as Dh5, Dh7 or Dh9. “The prices keep changing; the rates mostly depend on the validity period. Some items are available for as low as Dh1 or Dh2,” said Maryam, a shopper.
Another customer advised people to check the validity dates. “Most products on sale have short validity periods but ■ sometimes you might even find expired products on the shelf, so if you are not careful, you might end up buying something that is not fit for consumption,” said Ali Mustafa.
But Nasser claims no expired products remain on the shelf. “Some other stores might be doing it, but we never sell any expired item; for us, the sale is so fast that the products hardly last till expiry. If they do, we dump it immediately. Municipal officials also inspect regularly, so there is no question of selling invalid products,” said Nasser. ■ ■ ■ ■
Short on validity