Latest news with #retailregulation


Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman mandates free eco-friendly bags in retail stores
Muscat: In a joint move to strengthen consumer rights and promote environmentally responsible practices, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion in Oman, in collaboration with the Consumer Protection Authority, has issued an official directive requiring all retail establishments and commercial centres to provide free bags to shoppers. Key Provisions of the Directive The initiative outlines three key guidelines aimed at standardising bag distribution and improving service transparency: Free Bags as a Basic Service Retail outlets must supply bags free of charge as part of their standard service. Bags must be environmentally friendly, technically compliant, and adequately sized for practical use. Optional Paid Alternatives Businesses may offer premium bag options for a fee. These alternatives must be clearly presented as optional, ensuring that consumers are not compelled to forgo the free bags. Clear Communication at Points of Sale Retailers are required to clearly communicate their bag policies to customers. This measure aims to prevent hidden fees and ensure transparency in commercial practices. Promoting Accountability and Consumer Confidence The directive is part of a national effort to regulate commercial operations and safeguard consumer interests while maintaining quality standards in services and products. The Ministry and the Authority emphasised that the move supports a balance between merchant interests and consumer rights, ensuring fair treatment and access to essential shopping materials. © Muscat Media Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (


Times of Oman
12-07-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Oman mandates free eco-friendly bags in retail stores
Muscat: In a joint move to strengthen consumer rights and promote environmentally responsible practices, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion in Oman, in collaboration with the Consumer Protection Authority, has issued an official directive requiring all retail establishments and commercial centres to provide free bags to shoppers. Key Provisions of the Directive The initiative outlines three key guidelines aimed at standardising bag distribution and improving service transparency: Free Bags as a Basic Service Retail outlets must supply bags free of charge as part of their standard service. Bags must be environmentally friendly, technically compliant, and adequately sized for practical use. Optional Paid Alternatives Businesses may offer premium bag options for a fee. These alternatives must be clearly presented as optional, ensuring that consumers are not compelled to forgo the free bags. Clear Communication at Points of Sale Retailers are required to clearly communicate their bag policies to customers. This measure aims to prevent hidden fees and ensure transparency in commercial practices. Promoting Accountability and Consumer Confidence The directive is part of a national effort to regulate commercial operations and safeguard consumer interests while maintaining quality standards in services and products. The Ministry and the Authority emphasised that the move supports a balance between merchant interests and consumer rights, ensuring fair treatment and access to essential shopping materials.


Khaleej Times
26-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Saudi Arabia bans sale of tobacco, dates, meat, fruits, vegetables in grocery stores
Small grocery stores in Saudi Arabia, commonly known as Baqalas, are now prohibited from selling several products, including tobacco, dates, meat, fruits, and vegetables, the Saudi Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing announced. The ban, issued by Minister Majed Al-Hogail, is aimed at reorganising the retail structure and enhancing public health and safety standards across Saudi Arabia. The new regulation takes effect immediately, but existing establishments have been granted a six-month grace period to comply with the new rules. Conditions of the new regulation Under the amended rules, grocery stores, kiosks, and mini markets are no longer permitted to sell: Tobacco products (including regular cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and shisha) Dates Meat Fruits and vegetables These items may only be sold in: Supermarkets, provided they obtain a separate licence for selling meat Hypermarkets, which are permitted to sell all of the above without additional licensing The sale of charger cables and prepaid recharge cards is permitted across grocery stores, supermarkets, and hypermarkets. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. New space requirements The regulations also redefine the required minimum space for retail categories: Grocery stores must have a minimum floor area of 24 square metres Supermarkets must be at least 100 square metres Hypermarkets must have a minimum space of 500 square metres Implications for retailers The move is expected to impact thousands of small grocery stores across the Kingdom, many of which have traditionally relied on the sale of fresh vegetables, tobacco, and dates as core parts of their stock. Retailers will need to reassess their product merchandise and expand their space to upgrade their classification if they wish to continue selling restricted items. For consumers, the changes may mean fewer options for convenience purchases at neighbourhood stores. However, the revised regulations will result in improved product handling and safety in larger, better-regulated establishments. The Ministry has stated that enforcement teams will monitor compliance during the six-month transition period, after which violators may face penalties, including fines and closure orders.