United Arab Emirates supermarkets experienced an unprecedented surge of activity on Tuesday night following the official sighting of Ramadan’s crescent moon. The unexpected announcement triggered a wave of last-minute shopping as residents scrambled to prepare for the holy month’s commencement.
Retail establishments across Dubai and Sharjah witnessed remarkable crowding patterns, with significant footfall beginning around 9 PM and reaching peak intensity by 10 PM. Major shopping centers reported substantially slowed traffic in adjacent areas as numerous families embarked on collective provisioning missions for inaugural iftar and suhoor meals.
Consumer behavior varied considerably among shoppers, with some meticulously following digital lists while others appeared uncertain about necessary purchases. Essential commodities including rice, cooking oil, dairy products, bread, eggs, yogurt, fresh fruits, and frozen convenience foods emerged as highest-demand items. Packages of dates appeared in nearly every shopping cart, maintaining their traditional Ramadan significance.
Checkout operations became a primary bottleneck throughout the retail sector. At Night to Night on Ittihad Road, waiting times extended to approximately 55 minutes, with queues stretching deep into shopping aisles. Even self-service stations offered little respite, developing separate lines of shoppers requiring technical assistance.
The consumer rush extended beyond culinary requirements. Retailers noted increased interest in religious and cultural items, with prayer mats strategically positioned near promotional displays. Modest clothing sections, particularly those featuring abayas, scarves, and kurtas, experienced notable customer attention.
Some shoppers adopted pragmatic approaches, purchasing only immediate necessities while planning subsequent visits. Several customers abandoned fully-loaded trolleys upon encountering extensive queues, opting to defer comprehensive shopping for later dates. Bakery departments operated at maximum capacity, with staff continuously replenishing bread supplies to meet overwhelming demand.