Customers descend on shopping centres to buy food, DVDs

AMMAN – With the imminent approach of a depression that is expected to bring heavy rain and snow to the Kingdom this week, the demand for foodstuff and sweets has surged significantly, traders said Monday. 

Since Saturday, consumers have been thronging to shopping centres and sweets stores, stocking up for potential snowbound days at home.

Foodstuff Traders Association (FTA) Director Zuhair Harb said the demand for essential commodities such as rice, oil and sugar has increased by 12 per cent. 

He stressed that all items are available in the market, urging people to not panic. 

“Vendors are well prepared for the coming days... and there will be no shortage of food,” he told The Jordan Times over the phone.

Yaser Abbadi, who owns a shopping centre in west Amman’s Bayader area, said sales of food items increased by 30 per cent since the beginning of the year. 

“They come to buy meat, vegetables, fruit and nuts,” he added, noting that customers buy these items because they want to enjoy the “long winter evenings” at home. 

“They like to have nuts or snacks while watching television during severe weather conditions.” 

Abbadi explained that when the Jordan Meteorological Department forecasts cold fronts or snowstorms his shopping centre increases its warehouse stocks to ensure that there will be no shortage of items for its clientele. 

Batoul Arnaout said she usually buys food ahead of time because it will be difficult for her and her family to go out if it snows. 

“The market is a bit far from our residence and my car cannot be driven in such difficult weather conditions,” she noted. 

Food is not the only item in high demand during snowy spells. 

Arnaout said she also buys DVDs of films and TV shows for indoor entertainment because the satellite dish malfunctions during heavy rain or snow.

Shadi, the owner of a DVD store in Amman, said he usually stocks extra quantities to meet his customers’ needs during such weather conditions. 

“We also increase employees’ working hours to serve the large number of clients,” he added. 

Shadi said Arabic comedy plays and animated films are among people’s must-buy items. 

“Parents like to buy animated films for their children, because they cannot play outdoors.” 

Imad Miqdadi, a “film addict”, said he usually prepares for such weather conditions ahead of time by buying a great number of movies.