Kingdom sees boost in online retail sales amid extreme weather conditions, say shopkeepers

AMMAN — With the wintery conditions in the Kingdom, Jordanians express how the weather has influenced their shopping habits and decisions.

“Online retail sales increased by at least 20 per cent over the last two days, and I think the reason was that most people were in their homes during the snowfall,” said Hala Abdulla, a Jordanian clothing shop owner.

During frigid temperatures, shoppers tend to turn to online shopping, whether to buy clothes, food, or other necessities, she noted.

“The weather forecast for sure affects all businesses,” Farah Mansour, owner of a beauty salon in Zarqa, told The Jordan Times on Saturday. When temperatures drop, people simply change their shopping habits and behaviours, she added. 

As for supermarket owner Waleed Ali, he said when a snow storm is forecast, he ensures that adequate quantities of certain products are in his store, including rice, chicken, flour, eggs, bread, vegetables and fruits.

“Preparation is critical when there is a snow storm coming,” said Ali. Prior to snowfall in Jordan the other day, people hit supermarkets to stock up for the cold weather.

“The first thing I did when I saw the weather forecast was to buy groceries and gas,” said Baraa Ahmad, a Jordanian in her 20s.

Meanwhile, Jordanian Ahmad Jawad told The Jordan Times over the phone that on Wednesday he went to the bakery, and put fuel in his car, in case of an emergency.