A proposal to instal digital price screens in hypermarkets, supermarkets and cold stores across Bahrain is gaining momentum in Parliament, as MPs push to enhance price transparency and safeguard consumers ahead of Ramadan next month.
The initiative by five MPs, spearheaded by Strategic Thinking Bloc president and financial and economic affairs committee chairman MP Ahmed Al Salloom, calls for the installation of screens displaying the prices of key Ramadan goods.
It aims to allow shoppers to easily compare prices between outlets and make informed purchasing decisions during the Holy Month.
Under the proposal, retailers would also be encouraged to adopt digital pricing systems that customers can access electronically, reducing confusion and limiting the scope for sudden or hidden price changes.
“Ramadan is a period of increased consumption, particularly of essential food items, and transparency is the best protection for both consumers and honest traders,” Mr Al Salloom told GDN. “When prices are clearly displayed on screens and updated digitally, shoppers can compare instantly and retailers are held accountable.”
He stressed that the proposal was not intended to burden businesses but to modernise the retail sector while safeguarding the public interest. “Digital pricing is now a global trend. It improves efficiency, reduces disputes at checkout counters and builds trust between consumers and retailers,” he said.
The proposal comes in the backdrop of an existing voluntary commitment signed annually by traders through the Bahrain Chamber, pledging not to raise prices ahead of Ramadan.
Mr Al Salloom, who is also a board member of the chamber, said the initiative would complement that agreement by making pricing more visible on the shop floor.
“Most traders already co-operate and respect the Ramadan price pledge,” he said. “What we are proposing is an additional layer of clarity that reassures the public and rewards compliant businesses.”
Co-signee of the proposal and Strategic Thinking Bloc member Dr Mariam Al Dhaen said the initiative responds directly to consumer concerns raised every year ahead of Ramadan.
“We receive repeated complaints from families about inconsistent pricing and the difficulty in tracking offers across different outlets,” Dr Al Dhaen said. “Digital screens and electronic pricing tools empower consumers and create fair competition based on clear, visible prices.”
She added that international experience shows digital pricing can benefit both shoppers and retailers, particularly during peak seasons such as Ramadan. “When prices are accurate and updated in real time, it reduces errors, prevents misunderstandings and improves the overall shopping experience,” she said.
Globally, major retailers are rapidly adopting electronic shelf labels and digital signage, especially during high-demand periods. These systems allow instant price updates, eliminate mismatches between shelf and checkout prices, while also reducing paper waste.
MPs behind the proposal argue that adopting similar practices in Bahrain would align the kingdom with international retail standards, while supporting regulatory oversight during the Holy Month.
“The goal is balance,” stressed bloc spokesman MP Khalid Bu Onk. “We want competitive prices, informed consumers and a market that reflects the spirit of Ramadan – fairness, transparency and social responsibility.”
The proposal has been referred by Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam to the financial and economic affairs committee for further study and co-ordination with the Industry and Commerce Ministry ahead of Ramadan, which is expected to begin on February 18.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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