People and businesses gear up for Ramadhan

With the holy month of Ramadhan approaching, both citizens and expatriates, as well as the business community in the country, are already busy making plans to make the month more spiritually and materially beneficial.

Hotels are planning various iftar and suhoor programmes in advance, while commercial outlets are clearing out old stock to make way for new stock as Ramadhan and Eid Al Fitr make up six months of their business.

"Ramadhan is our busiest month, constituting half of our annual business. We create new promotional programmes to attract customers and try to retain all our staff by scheduling their annual holidays for other months. Additionally, we provide compensatory time off for staff working overtime during the month," a general manager of a leading hypermarket chain told the Observer.

KA Shabeer, Regional Director of Lulu Hypermarkets, said, "We are running a sixty-day raffle draw for 6 cars nationwide to encourage all customers to participate. We will be giving away six Nissan Pathfinders through our stores across Oman."

For hotels, Ramadhan is a time to showcase their spiritual and commercial interests by keeping their restaurants closed during the day and preparing for evening meals, iftar and suhoor. "We plan iftar and suhoor packages months in advance to make up for lost business during the day. The quality of food, service and ambiance makes a difference for our customers during the month," said a representative of a luxury hotel.

The Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), Oman’s iconic venue for international events and MICE events, is preparing to welcome guests this year as well.

CEO of OCEC, Eng Said al Shanfari, stated, "The OCEC has been a popular venue for corporate iftars in recent years, welcoming leading companies in Oman. This year, we are expanding to individuals, ensuring our venue becomes a vibrant hub for connection and celebration for all. Whether enjoying the cooler weather in our outdoor Ramadhan tents or our versatile indoor spaces, we are proud to provide unforgettable experiences for all our visitors."

In addition, OCEC will also host two of Muscat’s most anticipated shopping events during the month: the Chic Expo and Dar al Atta exhibitions, which aim to create a one-stop destination for dining, entertainment and Eid preparations during the holy month of Ramadhan.