As the month of Ramadan approaches, businesses throughout Saudi Arabia are strategically positioning themselves to capitalize on increased consumer demand, especially in the food, beverage, and hospitality sectors.

Retailers, e-commerce platforms, and hospitality services are unveiling new product lines and marketing initiatives tailored to the needs of customers observing the fast.

Nausherwan Hafeez, the operations country manager at Amazon for Saudi Arabia, indicated that essential items such as rice and cooking oil are witnessing a significant uptick in demand during Ramadan.

To cater to this need, Amazon has launched a product line termed 'Ramadan Boxes', which includes staple items used for iftar, the meal to break the fast.

Customers can opt to purchase these boxes or donate them, with deliveries organized by Amazon to local food banks.

In the retail sector, stores are experiencing substantial increases in sales as the holy month approaches.

Mohammed Majid, sales manager at the Economy Saving Center in Jeddah, reported a 70% rise in sales compared to previous weeks, leading up to Ramadan.

The store has expanded its inventory to include an array of Ramadan-themed items, such as decorative lighting, wall hangings, and various tableware essentials, while also promoting products from local manufacturers.

The online retail landscape is similarly bustling, with Saleha Ameen, founder of an online store specializing in handmade Islamic goods, noting a 40% increase in orders in the two weeks preceding Ramadan.

Ameen highlighted a surge in interest for customized prayer mats, with customers increasingly requesting personalized designs and symbolic bead patterns.

Local food brands are also experiencing heightened demand, particularly for traditional dishes.

Noura Abdullah, founder of the local brand Soma, remarked on the significant rise in orders for grape leaves, fatteh, and musakhan—popular choices for iftar meals.

To navigate this increase in demand, Soma is employing innovative technology and data analytics to enhance production efficiency and maintain product quality.

In response to the season, Goody Kitchen, a digital platform linked to the Goody brand, has adapted its outreach strategy by publishing a Ramadan magazine that features recipes and narratives celebrating food, family, and tradition.

The hospitality industry is likewise preparing to meet the surging demand for iftar meals.

Vipin Khattar, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton Jeddah, indicated that the hotel is focusing on enhancing its iftar offerings to include a variety of traditional Saudi dishes, while also adopting data analytics to tailor services to guest preferences.

The hotel has integrated AI-driven guest service tools, allowing for mobile check-ins and in-app dining orders.

Monther Abou Alssil, general manager at Movenpick Hotel Tahlia Jeddah, shared that the hotel will feature an iftar menu with an Italian twist, designed by a chef from Puglia, Italy.

This menu includes traditional Italian dishes such as handmade orecchiette pasta and focaccia Barese, coupled with a commitment to community engagement through a charity event aimed at inviting individuals with special needs to share an iftar meal.

Businesses across the Kingdom are embracing the opportunity to connect with consumers during Ramadan, showcasing the blend of tradition and modernity that characterizes the holy month.