Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Saudis, Emiratis, Egyptians: More Expenditure during Ramadan | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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A worker prepares plates of food at a charity kitchen in the rebel-held town of Douma, east of the Syrian capital Damascus. AFP


London-As the month of Ramadan got underway, research centers focused on the change in consumption styles in the Arab countries, seeking to determine the sectors that witness more demand during the Holy month and to assess the divergence in expenditure rates.

A research done by the British institution YouGov expected 93% of consumers in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt to increase their expenditures on household commodities like food, drinks, and grocery. The study reported that 59% of Egyptians will exceed their normal expenditures during Ramadan, followed by 56% in Saudi Arabia, and 46% in the UAE.

The study involved 1,523 people among the three mentioned countries and showed that the consumers prefer to purchase food commodities regularly instead of buying big quantities which go along with attractive offers.

As expected, dates have topped the list of the bought articles with 73%, followed by milk with 62%, yogurt 61%, soft drinks and caffeinated products with 53%. The list also included the Ramadan sweets and chocolate which are often offered as gifts.

The YouGov study also reviewed the travel plan during the Holy month and Eid al-Fitr, and found that 72% of the participants don’t have any travel plans with 63% of them saying that they prefer to spend this month in their mother country.