Jeddawis throng markets for Ramadan shopping

More than 200 commercial centers, malls and hypermarkets in Jeddah are witnessing a blitz in shopping activity this Ramadan. Many leading commercial centers and hypermarkets announced promotions and offers well before the advent of Ramadan, resulting in a significant crease in sales at major consumer goods outlets over the last few days.
There has been a considerably large number of families, both Saudi and foreign alike, at almost all shopping malls and hypermarkets.
Immense stocks of consumer goods are on display in anticipation of a big rise in demand. Most families prefer to buy household appliances, including utensils, in addition to foodstuffs, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
South Jeddah’s Souk Hindawiya, which is famous for utensils, witnessed an increase of at least 35 percent in sales during the days preceding Ramadan, compared to other seasons of the year. Similar is the case with other traditional souks in the city. There are roughly a dozen such souks in Jeddah, including Souk Al-Badawi, Alawi, Qabil, Nada, Haraj, Dahab, and Khasikiya.
The sale of utensils in the Kingdom are estimated to have reached SR4 billion annually.
Even though several shopping malls and hypermarkets have sprung up throughout the city within the last few years, they have had no visible affect on the volume of shopping done in traditional souks. This is mainly due to the comparatively cheaper prices and higher quality of products offered at these souks.
People from outside the city come to these souks to purchase traditional consumer goods, and sales are on the rise, especially during Ramadan.