Ramadan's First Night: A Supermarket Frenzy

Hour-long Queues, Slow Sales: Last-minute Rush in UAE Supermarkets at Ramadan Start

Unexpected Announcement, Immediate Reaction

In the United Arab Emirates, the start of Ramadan each year is tied to the sighting of the crescent moon, making the exact commencement date official only in the evening hours. This year, many residents anticipated the fasting month would start a day later, catching several off guard with the announcement. Once Ramadan's beginning was confirmed, crowds headed immediately to supermarkets. The usual evening calm swiftly changed to rush, parking lots filled, and shopping carts were claimed within minutes.

In Dubai and Sharjah, traffic around shopping malls visibly slowed within an hour. Families headed out together to procure the necessary ingredients before the first iftar and the pre-dawn suhoor. Despite the late evening hours, stores buzzed with daytime-like activity.

Confusion Among the Aisles

The aisles of supermarkets were filled with both decisiveness and uncertainty. Some shoppers arrived with shopping lists on their phones, while others relied on memory to recall what would be needed in the first days. Faces showed signs of haste, yet many tried to remain calm.

Several emphasized they didn't want to overstock. Many bought only a few days' worth of supplies, stating they would first settle into Ramadan's rhythm and return for larger shopping later. The aim was not to hoard, but to ensure a smooth start to the initial days.

Most Sought-after Items

Shopping baskets and carts displayed a rather similar picture. Rice, cooking oil, milk, bread, eggs, yogurt, and fruits sold quickly. Dates were seen in almost every cart, given their traditional role in breaking the fast. Frozen snacks like samosas and ready-to-cook meat dishes were also popular, especially among those seeking quick solutions for the first suhoor.

In bakeries, restocking was constant. Fresh bread sold out within minutes, and staff continuously replenished shelves. Demand for pre-prepared, bake-ready foods surged, as many families didn't want to spend the first evening in lengthy food preparations.

More Time at the Cash Register than the Aisles

The real challenge wasn't the shopping but paying. In several stores, queues at the cash registers extended back into the aisles. Waiting times of 50–60 minutes were not uncommon. While some finished shopping quickly, progress slowed significantly at the checkouts.

Self-service checkouts offered no real solution either. Separate queues formed there too, with customers frequently asking staff for help scanning products. Patience became crucial. Some, seeing the long lines, left their shopping carts behind, deciding to make do with what they had at home for the first evening.

More than Just Food Running Low

Ramadan isn't solely about dining. Near promotional counters, stores displayed prayer rugs, which also generated significant interest. Sections offering modest clothing – abayas, scarves, and simple garments – were busier than usual.

Many families purchased new prayer rugs or festive outfits for children. Ramadan is a time for spiritual renewal, and many wanted to express this in their external appearance as well. Thus, shopping carried not only practical but also symbolic significance.

Traffic Jams Around Cities

Traffic slowed noticeably near shopping centers. In Dubai's busy roads and Sharjah's densely populated districts, congestion developed. Families heading out together further increased vehicle traffic. Finding parking spots became a time-consuming task in itself.

This last-minute rush clearly showed how strong the tradition of community preparation remains. The first evening of Ramadan holds special significance; thus, many wanted to ensure that all necessary ingredients were in place.

The Quick Return to Routine

Though the first evening was hectic, such rushes tend to quickly subside. In the following days, shopping occurs in a more organized manner, and stores adapt to increased demand. Residents also get into the rhythm of the fasting month: shopping primarily occurs in the afternoon, while the period before iftar returns to quieter preparations.

The last-minute shopping wave came with tension and long queues, yet it well reflected Ramadan's significance in daily life in the UAE. Images from the supermarkets – crowded aisles, full shopping carts, patiently waiting families – all indicated that for the community, this period is not merely a calendar event but a deeply experienced tradition.

The first evening may have started with chaos, but the essence of Ramadan soon refocuses attention on what's truly important: togetherness, moderation, and spiritual deepening.

Source: arabnews.com​