The Saudi Ministry of Commerce announced the implementation of a comprehensive monitoring campaign that included more than 37,000 inspection visits to commercial establishments across the Kingdom. This initiative is part of its proactive plan to ensure market stability and meet consumer needs during the holy month of Ramadan and the 1447 AH Umrah season. These intensive efforts, undertaken over the past two months, reflect the Ministry's commitment to protecting consumer rights and guaranteeing the availability of essential and Ramadan-related goods at fair prices.
Specifically, the inspection teams conducted 30,476 routine and preventative visits, in addition to 6,896 specialized visits to monitor the availability of food supplies. The field visits covered a wide range of vital facilities, including major retail outlets (hypermarkets), central markets, warehouses, as well as gold and jewelry shops, gas stations, and service centers located on the roads leading to Mecca and Medina, which experience high traffic from pilgrims and visitors.
General context: Annual efforts to protect the consumer
These monitoring campaigns are a well-established annual practice for government agencies in the Kingdom, as consumption patterns rise significantly before and during Ramadan. Historically, this season sees an increase in demand for specific food items and consumer products, necessitating stricter oversight to prevent any harmful practices that could affect supply and demand, such as monopolies or artificially inflated prices. Through these plans, the Ministry of Commerce aims to enhance confidence in the local market and ensure that citizens, residents, and visitors can easily access their needs.
The importance and expected impact of the local market and visitors
These measures are of paramount importance both domestically and internationally. Domestically, the Ministry aims to ensure price stability and protect consumers from commercial fraud and misleading promotions, thus contributing to maintaining household purchasing power. Regionally and internationally, the Kingdom welcomes millions of pilgrims and visitors during Ramadan, and serving the guests of God is a top priority. Ensuring a well-regulated market that provides high-quality goods at stable prices is an integral part of the visitor's religious experience and reflects positively on the Kingdom's efforts in organizing and managing the Hajj and Umrah seasons. The Ministry also closely monitors establishments' compliance with consumer protection regulations and takes the necessary legal action against any violations detected to ensure a safe and fair business environment for all.
