Beyond Discounts: What Really Happened to MENA E-commerce Prices During Ramadan 2025
Apr 14, 2025
As an e-commerce store owner in the MENA region, you know that Ramadan transforms not just consumer behavior, but the entire market landscape. What you might not know is exactly how prices shift during this critical period – and how you could leverage these patterns to boost your bottom line.
But here's something crucial: while the buzz around Ramadan and Eid often creates a perception of wall-to-wall discounts, the reality is more strategic. Our analysis shows that while specific discount percentages are common and highly visible, most products maintain stable pricing or actually increase prices during Ramadan and Eid. Successful e-commerce stores are selective, not slashing prices across the board.
So, do you know exactly which discounts resonate most when they are applied, when to offer them, and how patterns differ across categories?
At Sampo, we've analyzed millions of products across five major categories during Ramadan 2025 (March 1-29) and Eid (March 30-April 2). What we discovered will change how you approach your pricing strategy for the next holiday season.
Forget guesswork; let's dive into the data.
The Ramadan & Eid Pricing Calendar: When Changes Happened
Understanding the timing of price adjustments is crucial. Our analysis pinpointed key moments:
Early Ramadan (March 1-5): The period kicked off with significant price drops on the very first day (March 1), especially in Clothing (-27.81%), Electronics (-22.54%), and Food (-15.55%). This aligns with retailers launching promotions to attract early shoppers. This promotional push is also reflected in discount frequency peaking around March 5.
Mid-Ramadan (Approx. March 11-15): This period showed category-specific volatility. Health products, for instance, saw both their maximum price increase (on March 11) and maximum price decrease (on March 15) during this time, suggesting strategic promotions or stock adjustments. Discount frequency remained relatively stable.
Late Ramadan (Approx. March 23-27): As Eid approached, prices saw their most significant increases, particularly in Clothing and Furniture as Ramadan promotions are starting to finish before Eid promotions kick in.
Eid Period (March 30 - April 2): Electronics saw continued price strength (peaking +2.27% on March 30). However, the dominant trend for most categories was a price decrease on the final day of Eid (April 2), led by Clothing (-20.28%). This signals the start of post-Eid clearance sales, coinciding with the peak of discount frequency.
This timing reveals a strategic arc: attract customers with early Ramadan deals, adjust prices mid-month based on category dynamics, implement premium pricing in late Ramadan and clear stock immediately after Ramadan during Eid.
Not All Categories Are Created Equal
Your pricing strategy must adapt to the specific category you sell:
Clothing
Pattern: On average, prices actually Increased moderately during Ramadan. The category showed extreme price volatility. Big discounts were used to drive traffic while keeping other products stable or increasing prices slightly. Common discounts: 25%, 15%, 12%. 25% is a key discount level.
What this means for you: Plan aggressive Day 1 promotions for selected products while improving margins on others. Identify product combinations where a heavily discounted product will drive sales for other highly profitable products. Leverage the popular 25% discount.
Electronics
Pattern: Consistent small price increases during Ramadan. Moderate volatility. Heavy discounts on Day 1 (up to 50%). Common discounts: 1%, 2% (granular) and 50% (deep).
What this means for you: Maintain upward price pressure throughout, peaking during Eid. Utilize a combination of small, precise discounts (1-2%) and significant deep discounts (50%) strategically. Premium items (500+ AED) saw notable increases (7.08%) during Ramadan.
Furniture
Pattern: Overall prices slightly increased during Ramadan (+0.63%) while heavy discounts were used on a small subset of products. Moderate volatility. Max price decreases during early Ramadan (-11.18%), max increase late Ramadan (+18.84%). Common discounts: 30%, 15%, 13%, 65%. Featured substantial deep discounts.
What this means for you: Deep discounts (30%, 65%) are common and expected by customers in this category. Combine deep discounts with price increases in premium segments (500+ SAR) which saw the largest Ramadan increases (+23.55%). Optimize pricing for Wednesdays.
Food
Pattern: Prices slightly increased during Ramadan. High volatility (second only to clothing). Big overall price decrease on Day 1 of Ramadan (-15.55%). Common discounts: 20%, 15%, 25%. Fewer discount instances overall.
What this means for you: Focus pricing adjustments early in Ramadan. Use standard discount percentages (15-25%) when offering promotions. Be prepared for price swings.
Health Products
Pattern: Slight decreases during both Ramadan and Eid. Lowest volatility. Common discounts: 16%, 20%, 13%, 19% (precise). Notably lacked the common 25% discounts.
What this means for you: Maintain relatively stable pricing. Consider targeted promotions around mid-Ramadan (around March 15 dip). Use precise, non-rounded discount percentages (16%, 19%).
The Magic Numbers: Discount Percentages That Work
Our analysis uncovered specific discount percentages that dominated the MENA landscape:
Most Common Overall: While many minimal discounts rounded to 0%, the most popular meaningful discounts were 25%, 15%, 12%, and 10%. These appear to be psychologically effective thresholds.
Ramadan vs. Eid: Ramadan discounting was more consistent, clustering around 15%, 12%, and 17%. Eid featured more varied percentages, including high spikes like 70% and 57% appearing alongside 17%.
Category Sweet Spots:
Clothing: 25% is particularly common.
Electronics: Use granular 1-2% or deep 50%.
Furniture: Significant discounts like 30% and 65% are key.
Food: Standard 15%, 20%, 25% when discounting.
Health: Precise numbers like 16%, 19%, 20%.
Your Ramadan 2026 Pricing Playbook: Act on the Insights
Based on our findings, here's your action plan for the next Ramadan season:
1. Create a Category-Specific Pricing & Discount Calendar:
Clothing: Aggressive Day 1 discounts (e.g., 25%). Gradually raise prices, implement major hikes late Ramadan. Use 25%, 15%, 12% discounts. Plan for Eid clearance on Day 2.
Electronics: Day 1 dip possible. Steady Ramadan price increases. Use precise 1-2% or deep 50% discounts strategically. Prepare for Day 2 Eid dip.
Furniture: Early Ramadan dip possible. Increase prices steadily, peaking late Ramadan. Use deep 30%/65% discounts. Slight Eid decrease, plan for Day 2 dip.
Food: Day 1 discount potential (15-25%). Early Ramadan price increases. Stable/slight decrease during Eid. Day 2 Eid dip.
Health: Stable pricing generally. Consider mid-Ramadan promotions (around Ramadan 15th). Use precise discounts (16%, 19%, 20%). Minimal Eid changes.
2. Use the "Magic" Discount Percentages:
Align with common market discounts (25%, 15%, 12%, 10%) for broad appeal.
Adopt category-specific norms (25% for clothing, 30%+ for furniture, 1-2%/50% for electronics, precise % for health).
Significant discounts (50%-70%) effectively attract customers, while 98% of products maintain normal or increased prices. This creates an opportunity to draw customers in with promotions and sell them high-margin items during their shopping session. Consider using this specifically during the Eid period if appropriate for your strategy.
3. Master Your Timing:
Capitalize on Day 1 of Ramadan for major promotions (especially Clothing, Electronics, Food).
Plan inventory and pricing for late Ramadan peaks (Clothing, Furniture).
Maximize the Eid opportunity for Electronics pricing.
Implement post-Eid clearance strategies starting April 2.
4. Align Your Inventory Management:
Prepare for peak demand during the last week of Ramadan and Eid - Sales across MENA region increase around 30% during Eid Al-Fitr
Stock up for late Ramadan demand, especially for Clothing and Furniture.
Ensure sufficient Electronics inventory to meet Eid demand.
Prepare adequate stock for Day 1 promotions across relevant categories.
Factor in potential clearance needs for the last day of Eid.
Stop Guessing, Start Knowing
The MENA e-commerce landscape during Ramadan and Eid presents unique opportunities for store owners who understand these nuanced pricing and discount patterns. While your competitors might rely on gut feeling, you can use data to drive your decisions.
At Sampo, we're committed to giving MENA e-commerce businesses like yours the pricing intelligence needed to navigate these complex seasonal dynamics. Our platform's MENA-specific insights help you track competitor prices, implement optimal pricing strategies, and maximize revenue during critical periods like Ramadan and Eid.
Dive Deeper: Upcoming White Paper
This analysis provides a crucial overview, but there's even more detail to explore. We are preparing an in-depth white paper that dives further into these Ramadan and Eid pricing trends, offering more granular insights and advanced strategic recommendations.
Want to be among the first to receive a copy when it's released? Get in touch with our team today to register your interest: info@getsampo.com
Ready to transform your pricing strategy for next Ramadan? Visit getsampo.com to discover how our MENA-specialized pricing intelligence platform can help your e-commerce business thrive during the most important selling season of the year.
