20 Sept 2006
Dubai: Carrefour, one of the world's largest food retailers, was the cheapest of three Dubai supermarkets tested by the UAE's Ministry of Economy, but did not fair so well in Abu Dhabi.
Click here to see the prices of selected commodities (pdf)
According to the latest price basket figures, Carrefour Dubai offered the best deals compared to LuLu Centre and Union Cooperative Society. Of the 27 commodities included in this week's study, the France-based retailing giant produced outright lowest prices for 13 products, nearly 50 per cent of items tested.
LuLu Centre was the most competitive in study for five products, while Union Cooperative Society picked up the best price for two items. Other products were either offered by only one supermarket or the best price was shared between stores.
However, on some products in Dubai, Carrefour's prices were way above the competition.
The biggest price difference was found with Turkish peaches, which were a huge Dh4.25 per kilo more expensive in Carrefour than the other two stores. Its fresh boneless beef was also on the pricey side at Dh23.90 per kilo, compared to LuLu Centre where the price tag was just Dh17.50.
Although Carrefour was the study's cheapest Dubai store, a far different result emerged from Abu Dhabi. The French hypermarket specialist scored just three overall best prices compared to Emirates General Market which boasted 15 of the cheapest products in the list.
Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society also offered three best prices, while other products were either sold exclusively by a single store or produced no clear price winner.
Huge price differences emerged for USA dried raisins, which were nearly Dh4 per kilo cheaper in Emirates General Mart than Carrefour. Meanwhile, Almonds imported from the USA had a price difference of nearly Dh6 per kilo.
By Robert Ditcham
Gulf News 2006. All rights reserved.
