High demand but no shortages in Saudi supermarkets

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Danube is training staff in various regions throughout the Kingdom in picking and packing foods and other products, given the current fears sparked by the pandemic. (SPA)
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Danube is training staff in various regions throughout the Kingdom in picking and packing foods and other products, given the current fears sparked by the pandemic. (Shutterstock)
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Updated 04 April 2020
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High demand but no shortages in Saudi supermarkets

  • Commerce Ministry dealing with us closely to make sure people are getting what they want, says Danube co-founder

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Commerce is checking stocks on a daily basis and monitoring prices to ensure there is no shortage of goods or rise in the cost of essential commodities, according to Majed M. Al-Tahan, co-founder and managing director of Danube Online, the hypermarket chain.

“We have full support from the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Telecommunications and they are dealing with us closely to give whatever support we need to make sure people are getting what they want,” said Al-Tahan in an exclusive interview with Arab News.
He added: “In Danube Online, we are coping with it by scaling our operations every day, we are optimizing the packing, we are optimizing the routes, we are signing up with many delivery aggregators.”
“You can see that across all other platforms the demand is very high; people are trying to get all their deals through online platforms and all the players are trying to fulfill the needs as much as they can,” he said.




Majed M. Al-Tahan, co-founder and MD of Danube Online. (Supplied)


The response from customers was encouraging in the way that they were adapting quickly to online platforms, he said. Government authorities were asking people to stay at home and order through online platforms and delivery agencies as they were exempt from the 3 p.m. curfew measures.
On preparing staff to cope with the situation, Al-Tahan said: “We are continuously training and expanding the fleet.”
“We are having support from the scout groups through the Ministry of Commerce,” he said.
Danube was training staff in various regions throughout the Kingdom in picking and packing foods and other products, given the current fears sparked by the pandemic.
“We are in a very tricky business, we are trying to scale up with quality services and fulfilling safety guidelines,” Al-Tahan said.
“The online shopping experience is fully digital; we have stopped cash on delivery. We have stopped all our printed flyers and promotional materials and also replaced paper invoices with electronic invoices.”
“All these measures are to ease the operations and try to adapt as soon as possible because we don’t have time and need to comply with it,” he said.
Al-Tahan said that the hypermarket chain was dealing with very high demand.
“With Danube Online and the Danube app, in approximately the last 10 days we have seen average daily sales up over 200 percent and average order value up 50 percent compared to the same figures in February 2020.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• People are trying to get all their deals through online platforms and all the players are trying to fulfill the needs as much as they can, says Majed M. Al-Tahan.

• The response from customers was encouraging in the way that they were adapting quickly to online platforms, he says.

• Government authorities were asking people to stay at home and order through online platforms and delivery agencies as they were exempt from the 3 p.m. curfew measures.

Al-Tahan said that the number of app installations had jumped — nearly 400 percent higher compared to February.
“Trends wise, and what we have seen across our Danube Online product category sales (using similar dates as previously mentioned), the absolute top riser is body care, up by 461 percent, tissues and paper towels up by 160 percent, daily essentials up by 145 percent alongside a massive spike in beauty/personal care up by 208 percent and canned food up by 270 percent,” he said.
“Regular foods such as fruit and veggies are up by over 50 percent, dairy products are up by over 80 percent and cleaning and washing products are up by over 120 percent.”
He said that people were not panic buying or stocking up and buying in high quantities. “(They are) doing regular shopping as we see in the consumer’s behavior, having faith in retailers and assurances by the authorities,” he said.
Stocks were fully available, even of imported goods. He attributed the abundance of goods to the preparation people usually make for the holy month of Ramadan.
“This is the Islamic month of Shabaan, ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, so stocks are fully available and people need not to worry about it.”
Prices and stocks are being monitored regularly by the authorities to ensure stability in supplies according to consumer demand, he said.
“The Ministry of Commerce checks out stocks on a daily basis, monitoring the prices as well to ensure there is no spike in prices and shortage of goods,” he said.
Al-Tahan said that stores started online delivery after 3 p.m. due to regular offline shopping before the curfew hours.
Every retailer was committed to providing customers with essential products, he said, adding that the company was working as a partner in the retail business to serve customers, not as a competitor.
“We talk and work closely. We have our WhatsApp group, we do video conferencing and share our challenges to overcome it, and this is all to serve the people best.”


Scheme to ‘humanize’ pilgrim services during Hajj season

Scheme focuses on taking care of the sick, the elderly, and people with disabilities who are visiting the two holy mosques.
Updated 6 sec ago
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Scheme to ‘humanize’ pilgrim services during Hajj season

  • Scheme focuses on taking care of the sick, the elderly, and people with disabilities who are visiting the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque

RIYADH: The Presidency of Religious Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque recently launched the Humanitarians (Ensaniyoun) initiative as part of the 2024 Hajj season, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The scheme aims to enrich the experience of pilgrims by humanizing the services provided by the presidency. It focuses on taking care of the sick, the elderly, and people with disabilities who are visiting the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, creating an appropriate worship environment for them.

Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, said: “The Humanitarians initiative aims to enhance behavior and humanize the services provided by the presidency across its various sectors and departments ... creating an appropriate worship environment for pilgrims, and facilitating their access to religious services without effort or hardship.”

The initiative encourages specialization among employees and the use of flexible technology and digitization to meet religious needs, Al-Sudais said.

He added: “This commitment to humanitarian responsibility, amid the extensive religious work in the Two Holy Mosques and their global outreach, reflects the belief that balanced institutional giving leads to human and global success stories. By maintaining this balance, we achieve success in the rituals of Hajj and in serving pilgrims.”

The Humanitarians initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by enhancing the religious and humanitarian services provided to pilgrims.


Saudi Reef program provides $37.3m of support to Kingdom’s honey industry

Updated 11 min 54 sec ago
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Saudi Reef program provides $37.3m of support to Kingdom’s honey industry

  • Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program celebrates World Bee Day by highlighting its achievements in its support of the sector
  • Honey production in the Kingdom reached 3,120 tons last year; aim is to produce 7,500 tons a year by 2026 and become self-sufficient

RIYADH: About SR140 million ($37.3 million) in funding for the honey industry in the Kingdom has helped 10,584 beneficiaries since 2020, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The recipients of the support, provided by Saudi Arabia’s Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, also known as Saudi Reef, come from all parts of the country but the program said those in Asir, Hail, Makkah and Al-Baha regions benefited the most.
Saudi Reef marked World Bee Day on Monday by highlighting its notable achievements so far in supporting the local honey industry. It said production in the Kingdom reached 3,120 tons in 2023, a 41 percent increase compared with 2021, and the aim is to increase annual production to 7,500 tons by 2026 and achieve self-sufficiency.
The program said it has supported several projects vital to the sector, including the establishment of queen bee rearing and package bee production facilities in areas such as Hail, Najran, Jazan, Medina, Tabuk and Taif.
It also supplies modern beekeeping tools and spreads awareness of the latest techniques, and has set up three mobile laboratories to investigate and diagnose bee diseases and pests, along with four mobile clinics.
The program said it remains committed to providing support for beekeepers and implementing projects that benefit the honey industry, in keeping with efforts to achieve sustainable and comprehensive development in the Kingdom.
Saudi Reef aims to support environmental sustainability and diversification of the agricultural production base in the Kingdom, by aiding the development of rural communities and efforts to achieve food security.
It added that its projects provide job opportunities, help improve incomes and standards of living for small farmers, and enhance agricultural capabilities in keeping with the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030 development and diversification plan.


Japan, Saudi Arabia FMs agree to work closely

Updated 21 min 46 sec ago
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Japan, Saudi Arabia FMs agree to work closely

  • Prince Faisal said he was keen to collaborate with Tokyo
  • Kamikawa expressed her sincere wishes for the early recovery of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman

TOKYO: Japan’s Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko said on Monday she hopes to work closely with Prince Faisal bin Farhan, her Saudi counterpart, on the multiple crises the world is currently facing, such as the situations in Gaza and Ukraine.
In a telephone call, Prince Faisal said he was keen to collaborate with Tokyo to allow the foreign minister to make an official visit to the Kingdom in the near future, and that he looks forward to working with Kamikawa toward stabilizing the situation in the region.
In response, Kamikawa expressed her sincere wishes for the early recovery of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and stated that Japan attaches great importance to its strategic partnership with the Kingdom and seeks to work closely with Prince Faisal.


Saudi Arabia restricts Umrah permits to Hajj permit holders

Starting May 24 until June 26, Umrah permits will only be issued to those with a confirmed Hajj permit. (@AlharamainSA)
Updated 20 min 39 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia restricts Umrah permits to Hajj permit holders

  • New regulation aims to manage influx during peak pilgrimage period from May 24 to June 26
  • The ministry stated that Umrah permits will not be issued to individuals without a confirmed Hajj permit

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that starting May 24 until June 26, Umrah permits will only be issued to those with a confirmed Hajj permit.
The directive was issued by the ministry to facilitate Hajj pilgrims arriving in Saudi Arabia from around the world, ensuring their pilgrimage at the Grand Mosque in Makkah is conducted with ease and comfort.
The ministry stated that Umrah permits will not be issued to individuals without a confirmed Hajj permit.
This measure aims to manage the influx of pilgrims in the holy city during the busy Hajj season, ensuring a smooth experience for all pilgrims.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah posted on X: “Defying Hajj regulations will result in severe and unwavering penalties. A fine of SR10,000 ($2,666) will be imposed on individuals caught in Makkah and the holy sites without a Hajj permit, applicable to citizens, residents, and visitors. The fine will double for repeat offenders, and resident violators face deportation and a ban from entering Saudi Arabia.”


Earlier, the Ministry of Interior announced penalties for those who violated Hajj regulations and instructions, such as those found without a permit in Makkah, the central region, the holy sites, the Haramain train station in Rusayfah, security control centers, sorting centers, and temporary security control centers. These will be effective from June 2 to June 20.
Any citizens, residents or visitors caught within the specified restricted areas without a Hajj permit will be fined SR10,000. In addition, residents face deportation to their home country and a ban from entering the Kingdom for a stipulated period.


Emphasizing the importance of adherence to Hajj regulations and instructions, the ministry stressed that the fine would be doubled for repeat offenders.
Transporting individuals without a permit is a serious offense, with penalties of up to six months in prison and a fine of up to SR50,000. The fine will increase proportionately with the number of people carried. The means of transportation will be seized and expatriate transporters will face deportation and a ban from re-entering the Kingdom for a specified period.
Members of the public are urged to report anyone breaking the rules by calling (911) in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, and (999) in the remaining regions.
One of the five pillars of Islam, this year’s Hajj is expected to run from June 14 to June 19.


Pilgrim mobility innovation contest concludes in Makkah

Updated 20 May 2024
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Pilgrim mobility innovation contest concludes in Makkah

  • Event aimed to enhance pilgrim services in innovative ways, focusing on assisting people with disabilities in completing Hajj rituals like Tawaf and Sa’i

RIYADH: The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, along with Umm Al-Qura University and Wadi Makkah Co., recently concluded the pilgrim-mobility enhancement challenge at the university’s headquarters in Makkah.

The one-week event, which started on May 12, aimed to enhance pilgrim services in innovative ways, focusing on assisting people with disabilities in completing Hajj rituals like Tawaf and Sa’i.

It featured four categories: Manual wheelchairs, electric vehicles, golf carts and trailers, alongside an open section for creative mobility ideas.

With 50 teams and 190 participants, the challenge also involved 19 mentors, 10 judges and 118 mentoring sessions.

During the closing ceremony, attended by Umm Al-Qura University President Dr. Moaddi bin Mohammed Aal Madhhab, and the CEO of the general authority, Ghazi bin Dhafer Al-Shahrani, an exhibition showcased contributions and innovative ideas from organizing bodies and participating teams.

Dr. Ammar Attar, adviser to the general authority, highlighted the importance of forging quality partnerships, citing Umm Al-Qura University as a pioneer in Hajj and Umrah sciences and technologies. He lauded the joint initiative to enhance Tawaf and Sa’i mobility as a significant outcome of this collaboration.

Dr. Ali Al-Shaeri, CEO of Wadi Makkah Co., praised the challenge’s success and impact, highlighting its role in the university’s broader innovation program to enhance the pilgrim experience through effective partnership with the general authority.

Majed Al-Fuwaiz, secretary-general of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, applauded the challenge for fostering innovation to create a safe and appealing working environment meeting both local and international safety standards for those serving pilgrims.

The ceremony concluded with the honoring of the winners: Masari team claimed first place for their development of a smart path system for electric carts; Maseer team secured second place with AI-powered carts designed for ergonomic comfort; Naqiloon team earned third place for their Tawaf trailers tailored for specific location needs; Tarrayath team took fourth place for their sensor-based device safeguarding pilgrims in the Grand Mosque; and Mu’een team clinched fifth place with an app connecting pilgrims to cart drivers within the Two Holy Mosques.

Targeting postgraduate students, university students, faculty members, international students and entrepreneurs, the challenge aimed to enhance the mobility experience for Tawaf and Sa’i.

Participants delved deeper into the challenge through field visits and interactions with service providers, leading to the practical application of their ideas.