ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED NEWSPAPER ON SATURDAY SHOPPING SHOCK The Peninsula Donates sales proceeds to Gaza Hamas, Israel agree to 12-hour Gaza truce GAZA: Hamas has agreed to a 12-hour humanitarian truce to pause Gaza hostilities starting at 8am Israeli time today, a spokes- man for the Islamist group said. Sami Abu Zuhri said Hamas, along with all militant groups in Gaza, had agreed to the temporary ceasefire mediated by the United Nations. A US official said earlier that Israel had agreed to a 12-hour pause, though that has not been confirmed by Israel. See also page 8 10 members of French family died in Mali crash LONDON: Ten members of a French fam- ily were among the 118 victims of the Air Algérie plane that crashed on Thursday. The members spanning three generations of the Reynaud family were from the Rhône Alpes region. Michel Reynaud, his former wife, their two sons, two daughters-in-law and four grandchildren were on flight AH5017. They had been attending a family wedding in Burkina Faso. See also page 8 Murdoch creates ‘Sky Europe’ pay TV giant LONDON: Rupert Murdoch’s media empire 21st Century Fox has struck a mega deal with British satellite television group BSkyB to create a pan-European pay-TV giant, Sky Europe, the two companies announced yesterday. BSkyB, 39-percent-owned by 21st Century Fox, said it had agreed to buy Fox’s 100-percent stake in Sky Italia and its THE ISSUE 57.4-percent interest in Sky Deutschland. See also page 14 If you think the discounts and was a clear case of cheating, the customer Customers want the Consumer Signal to Maliki to quit told Al Raya Arabic daily. The shopping Protection Department to monitor offers special offers being made by centre was offering discounts before Eid. and discounts and ensure that shop- BAGHDAD: Iraq’s senior cleric urged politi- shops ahead of Eid Al Fitr will The argument attracted many people, keepers don’t demand more than the cal leaders to refrain from clinging to their who supported the customer and alleged announced prices. posts, an apparent reference to Prime Minister help you save money, think that price manipulation was becoming “On special occasions, prices are Design: Abraham Augusthy Nouri Al Maliki, who has defied demands that again. Shops are using the common during Eid. Many people cited increased by traders in a tricky way. he quit. Speaking through an aide who deliv- pre-Eid excitement to fool examples of other items in which there They do it in a way that customers do ered a sermon after Friday prayers in Kerbala, was a difference between the sticker price not realise. They do it for some types of Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani said leaders customers by manipulating and the price demanded by the cashier. sweets when Garangao is nearing. They should show flexibility so that political dead- prices. “They (shopkeepers) exploit high use attractive wrapping and take more locks could be broken and Iraq could confront demand during Eid to cheat customers. money. This happens ahead of Eid as well,” militants. See also page 8 AGENCIES ome customers say that the pric- For example, one of the offers said that said an Arab expatriate. ing is not transparent while others prices start from QR49, but when peo- People say that shopkeepers adopt this say the offers and discounts are ple come, they find the prices of products is strategy to attract customers into the Smisleading. A heated argument starting from QR100. This has become shop, and once inside, they hope the cus- was heard yesterday between a customer a permanent feature during Eid,” said tomers will be persuaded or pressed by and a cashier at a prominent shopping Awadiya Mohamed, a customer out for their family members to buy something. centre. The customer got angry on discov- Eid shopping. “It is very disappointing to see the ering that the printed price on the label “After seeing different offers and dis- exploitation of customers by shopkeepers was different from the price displayed at counts we think that we can save a little during Eid. The authorities should take Ramadan Timing the cash counter. He said he had bought money, but the reality is different. Products some strong steps to end the greediness PAGEthe product 6based on the sticker price, under offers and discounts are overpriced of shopkeepers,” said Mariam Al Marri, Todays Iftar: but when he reached the cash counter the and are usually old. Shopkeepers use Eid a customer. 06:25pm cashier demanded a higher price, which to clear old stocks,” said Mohamed. See also page 2 Tomorrow’s Imsak: 03:22am Saturday 26 July 2014 • 28 Ramadan 1435 • Volume 19 • Number 6138 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 JULY 26, 2014 ON SATURDAY 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Home Pics: Kammutty VP & Abdul Basit Shops cash in on Eid fervour Customers accuse outlets of manipulating prices to create false impression of discounts BY FAZEENA SALEEM “On special occasions, prices should be punished,” said a face make-up between QR300 and some restaurants also pro- thousands of faithful, including are increased by traders in a customer. and QR350, manicure and pedi- vide their customers facilities for women and children, gathering DOHA: With Eid Al Fitr tricky way, they do it in a way Ahead of Eid, demand for aba- cure QR120 and hair colouring smoking. in mosques and prayer grounds around the corner, traders are that customers don’t realise yas is high in the local market, between QR250 and QR350. “Since it’s holidays we will get to perform the Eid prayer. Some exploiting high demand for it. They do it for some types of especially for the Qatari and Many people purchase tradi- more customers. Many of them expatriate communities organ- goods and services by increas- sweets when Garangao is nearing. Emirati-designed ones. tional sweets, incense and other like mint and grape flavours,” ise their own Eid congregations ing their prices, claim many They use attractive wrapping and Abdul Rasad Zain, an abaya items traditionally associated said an employee at a restaurant where sermons are delivered in customers. charge more money. This happens seller, said that Eid was a good with the festival. Desserts, includ- preparing the water pipe. He said their language. They have urged the Consumer ahead of Eid as well,” said an Arab time for traders like her, as ing chocolates, petits fours and that prices would not change dur- Eid Al Fitr is particularly Protection Department to strictly expatriate. women are interested in new Arabic sweets, especially maamool ing the festival. important to Qataris because it monitor the prices of commonly When Eid Al Fitr approaches, designs and the demand for aba- and ghoraiba, top the orders list. High prices notwithstanding, is a time when the entire family consumed goods and services. clothes are a major attraction, yas increases. A shopkeeper in Souq Waqif a festive mood and a sense of comes together. They make it a Some say that even goods on especially for women and children. “We get new designs; some are selling traditional Eid sweets excitement are in the air as the point to spend at least the first offer in Eid discount sales are not Some consumers have expressed tailor-made. Each shop has its imported from Lebanon, said, country, along with Muslims all day of Eid here even if they are really being sold at lower prices. shock at the significant increase own customers,” she said. “People always buy sweets at the over the world, prepares to cel- travelling out of the country to They claim that traders increase in prices of imported garments, A ready-made abaya would last minute and the night before ebrate Eid Al Fitr, which marks spend the rest of the holidays. their prices before the season and especially children’s garments and cost, on average, between QR250 Eid becomes very busy.” the culmination of the holy month The thousands of expatriates then reduce them ahead of Eid. footwear. and QR800. The price depends on Shops selling Bukhoor, the of Ramadan. who spend their Eid holidays Consumption of fruits and veg- “Although there are procedures the design and the quality of the scented chips and bricks used to After a month of fasting and here try to follow their native etables increases at the start of for discount sales or special offer cloth, and some pieces can cost perfume homes, especially during prayer, Eid brings in a sense of joy traditions. Ramadan. However, it falls by the prices, we feel that the traders are more than QR1,000. festivals, also do brisk business and fulfilment to the faithful. For For many, the harsh weather at 15th day of Ramadan, and near cheating. They initially increase Besides, beauty salons become during the final days of Ramadan. others, the week-long national this time of the year and the small Eid Al Fitr the demand for non- the price and then reduce it. busier during the last week of Different varieties of Bukhoor are holiday provides an opportunity number of venues for entertain- food items increases, according to Some have special offers only for Ramadan as women prepare for sold at prices starting from QR15. to relax. ment during the holidays are a retailers. clothes from old stocks. The new Eid Al Fitr. “Prices are decided by the qual- Shopping malls, hypermar- dampener. Moreover, the zoo and Fixed prices for selected food and good quality ones are sold at Hala Ahmed, manager of a ity; there are also very expensive kets and souqs are packed with one shopping mall are closed.