Oman – Retail and Consumer Issues

What are the typical opening hours for shops in Oman?

Oman’s official working week spans Saturday through Wednesday, with Thursday and Friday serving as the weekend — an arrangement that surprises many newcomers from Western countries. This structure directly influences retail patterns and peak shopping periods. There are no restrictions on Sunday trading in Oman; Sunday is treated as a completely ordinary working day, unlike in countries such as England and Wales where the Sunday Trading Act places limits on large retailers.

The majority of shops trade between 9:00am and 10:00pm Saturday to Thursday, and some remain open until midnight. That said, hours vary considerably depending on the type of outlet. City Centre Muscat, for example, runs from 10am to 10pm Saturday through Wednesday, extending to midnight on Thursdays, Fridays, and public holidays.

Other major malls follow slightly different schedules. Muscat Grand Mall operates from 10am to 10pm Saturday to Wednesday, stretching to midnight on Thursdays and Saturdays. Al Araimi Boulevard keeps later hours still — sometimes trading until 1:00am on Wednesdays through Fridays, with marginally shorter hours from Saturday through Tuesday.

Smaller independent retailers — particularly those in souqs and traditional market settings — frequently operate on a split-hours basis. A common pattern sees them open around 9:30am until 1:30pm, then reopen from 4:30pm to 10pm, reflecting the cultural practice of resting through the hottest part of the afternoon. This differs markedly from continuous-trading norms found in most of Europe and North America.

Away from the capital, hours can vary considerably. The Nizwa Souq, for instance, is open Saturday to Thursday from 9am to 4pm, with a shortened Friday window of 8am to 11am. In Salalah, malls may operate on split weekend schedules. The Ibra Souq in Sharqiyah Governorate trades only on Wednesdays, from 9am to 4pm. During Ramadan, retail hours undergo significant adjustments — most outlets, including major shopping centres, close during daylight hours and extend into the late evening; always check schedules locally during the holy month.

What forms of payment are typically accepted in Oman?

The Omani Rial (OMR) is the country’s official currency. Payment infrastructure in urban centres is modern and well-developed, though cash continues to play an important role, especially in smaller towns and traditional markets. Major hotels, shopping centres, and restaurants all accept international credit and debit cards, but expats accustomed to nearly cashless societies will find that keeping some Omani Rials on hand is still necessary for purchases in traditional souqs and neighbourhood stores.

Visa and Mastercard are the dominant card networks; American Express and Diners Club are accepted far less widely. ATMs are readily accessible in cities and at airports and generally accept international cards, though some machines levy a fee for overseas withdrawals — it is worth confirming this with your bank beforehand.

Mobile and contactless payment options have grown considerably in recent years, driven in part by the government’s broader digital economy ambitions. The Central Bank of Oman (CBO) has actively encouraged cashless transactions through initiatives such as mobile wallets and QR code payment systems. Apple Pay and Samsung Pay are both operational in Oman, and many banks have integrated Apple Pay to allow customers to link cards for straightforward digital transactions.

Google Pay is now live in Oman as well, enabling Android and Wear OS device holders to make secure contactless payments wherever the technology is supported in-store. Bank Muscat, National Bank of Oman, and Bank Dhofar are among the institutions that have signed up to Google Pay, with further banks anticipated to follow. Despite this progress, mobile wallet acceptance is not yet universal — rural and remote areas in particular tend to lag behind in contactless payment availability.

One payment instrument worth being aware of is the Maal national payment card, issued by the Central Bank of Oman as a domestic card designed to deliver secure and seamless transactions through an integrated national framework for issuing, processing, and settling card payments. The Maal card currently functions within Oman only; for purchases abroad or in foreign currencies, you will need to use an internationally accepted card.

What are the major supermarkets in Oman, and how do they differ?

Oman’s grocery retail sector is anchored by a small number of prominent hypermarket chains, most of which are found within large shopping complexes. Carrefour and LuLu Hypermarket stand out as the two dominant players. Knowing their respective strengths will help you shop more efficiently and keep household costs in check.

Carrefour, the French retail giant, operates several branches across Oman and stocks an extensive range covering electronics, homeware, clothing, and food. Its pricing sits at the mid-to-upper end of the market, but its product quality and breadth are consistently strong. Carrefour anchors several flagship malls, including City Centre Muscat. In broad terms, its positioning is comparable to a large Tesco Extra or a European Carrefour hypermarket — a reliable, broad-spectrum retailer with a leaning towards quality.

LuLu Hypermarket, headquartered in the UAE, runs multiple outlets throughout Oman and has built its reputation on competitive pricing and an impressive selection of fresh produce and meat. LuLu also places strong emphasis on internationally sourced goods. Its value-focused, wide-ranging catalogue is broadly comparable in feel to a large Asda or Walmart-style store, with a particularly impressive selection of South and South-East Asian products — a natural reflection of the substantial expatriate population from those regions living in Oman.

For shoppers wanting more premium or specifically international ranges, Al Fair offers several Oman locations with a focus on imported food, beverages, and household goods. Spinneys in Muscat similarly targets the international grocery market and tends to carry a broader array of European and Western-branded products — occupying a niche not unlike Waitrose or Marks & Spencer Food in terms of premium positioning.

A Carrefour Hypermarket within City Centre Qurum is also frequently praised for its product range and standards of presentation. Some retailers offer loyalty programmes — LuLu runs its own scheme, and Carrefour’s international MyClub card may be accepted in-store — though it is worth checking directly with each retailer, as terms and benefits are subject to change.

How popular is online shopping in Oman, and what are the main platforms?

E-commerce has taken firm root in Oman, with a growing proportion of residents choosing to shop digitally rather than visiting bricks-and-mortar stores. The sector has expanded rapidly on the back of high smartphone penetration and steadily improving delivery networks. Expats familiar with the convenience of platforms such as Amazon in Europe or North America will find a reasonably comparable — if still evolving — online retail environment.

The main online retail destinations include Carrefour Oman, LuLu Hypermarket, and Oman Avenues Mall, collectively offering products across groceries, electronics, fashion, and home goods. Amazon does not operate a dedicated Oman storefront, but its UAE platform (amazon.ae) is accessible to Omani shoppers, with delivery to Omani addresses available on many items — though shipping timelines and costs vary by product and seller.

Noon.com, a significant regional e-commerce player operating across the Gulf, also covers Oman and provides a broad catalogue spanning electronics, fashion, beauty, and household essentials. It functions as the closest regional equivalent to a mid-market Amazon-style marketplace. For those furnishing a new home or hunting second-hand bargains, classified-style platforms such as OpenSooq and Haraj facilitate private-seller listings and can be a cost-effective resource.

Delivery reliability in Muscat and other urban centres is generally sound for established retailers. More remote or rural locations may experience slower service or limited coverage from some platforms. It is also worth noting that Oman does not use a standardised postcode system in the way many European countries do — addresses typically rely on building names, neighbourhood identifiers, and GPS coordinates, so take care when entering delivery information on any platform.

For orders placed with international retailers — whether Amazon UAE, ASOS, or others — customs duties may be levied on parcels exceeding a certain value. For the latest thresholds and applicable rates, check with the Royal Oman Police Customs Directorate or the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP), as these figures are periodically updated.

As of October 2024, the MoCIIP introduced revised e-commerce regulations under Sultani Decree No. 66/2014, requiring online sellers to obtain approval from the relevant authority, present products accurately, clearly state delivery arrangements, and maintain a defined exchange and return policy. These rules provide a meaningful foundation of protection for consumers shopping online.

Are there shops or products in Oman catering specifically to expats or international tastes?

Oman is home to a large and varied expatriate population, drawn predominantly from South Asia, South-East Asia, and the wider Arab world, and the retail sector has adapted accordingly. Dedicated outlets catering to international tastes are well established in Muscat, though product availability falls off noticeably once you move outside the capital.

The Sultan Center in Muscat, Al Fair — which has multiple locations across the country — and Spinneys in Muscat are all geared towards international shoppers, stocking a curated range of food, beverages, and household products from around the world. These outlets are particularly popular with expats from Europe, Australasia, South Africa, and North America seeking familiar branded goods. Prices on imported products generally carry a premium over what you would pay in the country of origin, reflecting the costs of importation.

LuLu Hypermarket’s emphasis on internationally sourced products makes it an especially practical and affordable destination for South and South-East Asian staples — Indian pulses and spices, Filipino condiments, Indonesian snacks, and similar items are well represented. The product mix tracks closely with the demographics of Oman’s expatriate community and tends to be reliably stocked.

Traditional souqs offer expats an entirely different but equally rewarding retail experience. The Muscat Fish Market at Mutrah operates with the atmosphere of a working fishing port, with a fresh daily catch brought in from local waters. The Nizwa Souq — one of Oman’s oldest markets — features stalls selling everything from tailoring services and jewellery to hardware, dates, and ceramics. For fresh produce, local spices, frankincense, silverware, and authentic Omani handicrafts, these markets are hard to beat.

International fashion brands are well represented in larger malls. City Centre Muscat hosts Zara and H&M alongside its Carrefour anchor store. Mall of Oman carries high-end names including Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Dior, as well as more accessible brands such as Zara, H&M, and Carrefour. Marks & Spencer, LC Waikiki, and Max Fashion also operate in Oman, covering the mid-range to affordable fashion spectrum.

Expats in search of more niche ingredients — certain Latin American products, Central European specialities, or sub-Saharan African staples, for instance — may find that specialist online retailers and community-based social media groups prove invaluable. Facebook groups centred on expat life in Muscat, in particular, are active with advice on sourcing hard-to-find items or arranging shared imports from abroad.

What are your rights as a consumer in Oman?

In 2014, Oman enacted its Consumer Protection Law under Royal Decree No. 66/2014, establishing a broad framework of requirements for consumer protection and addressing monopolistic commercial conduct. This was supplemented in March 2017 when the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP) issued Decision No. 77/2017, comprising Executive Regulations that interpret and strengthen the original legislation, delivering a higher standard of consumer protection.

The Regulations are structured into five chapters containing 52 articles in total, covering both consumer rights and the corresponding obligations placed on suppliers. This constitutes a more detailed and enforceable framework than exists in a number of neighbouring countries, and it has real practical significance for everyday shoppers, including those living in Oman as expatriates.

Under this legal framework, consumers are entitled to clear and accurate information about any product or service prior to purchase. Suppliers are required to display prices prominently, provide truthful product descriptions, and refrain from misleading advertising. Where a purchased item turns out to be defective, not as described, or otherwise unsatisfactory, the consumer has the right to pursue a remedy — usually a repair, replacement, or refund depending on the nature of the fault. It is important to retain proof of purchase and any accompanying warranty documentation, as these will be needed to support any claim.

It is useful to understand how Oman’s approach differs from the EU consumer protection model, which mandates a statutory minimum two-year warranty on goods sold across all member states. In Oman, warranty periods and return conditions are determined partly by retailers’ own policies and partly by statute; where a retailer’s stated terms fall short of what the law requires, the law takes precedence. Always ask about return and warranty terms at the point of sale, and push back if they seem disproportionately restrictive.

Under the 2024 e-commerce regulations, online merchants are obliged to present products accurately, detail delivery terms clearly, and publish an exchange and return policy that aligns with the law. These requirements are particularly relevant for expats who rely heavily on digital shopping channels. The regulations are intended to bring greater transparency and accountability to the online retail environment while safeguarding consumer rights.

For the most up-to-date and authoritative guidance on your consumer rights in Oman — including any legislative changes since this article was written — consult the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP) directly, or the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP).

Which organisations protect consumers in Oman, and how can you contact them?

Consumers in Oman have access to a range of bodies offering support and redress, including the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Oman Consumer Protection Association, and the Public Authority for Consumer Protection. Each occupies a distinct role within the consumer protection landscape, and identifying the right organisation to approach can make a significant difference when problems arise.

Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP)
The PACP is the principal statutory authority charged with enforcing Oman’s consumer protection legislation. Its remit includes investigating complaints against traders and suppliers, monitoring market conduct for price manipulation and deceptive practices, and levying penalties on businesses found to have violated consumer rights. If a dispute with a retailer cannot be resolved through direct negotiation, the PACP is the first formal port of call. Official website: pacp.gov.om

Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP)
MoCIIP is responsible for overseeing trade and commercial regulation in Oman, including the issuance of key legislation such as the 2024 e-commerce rules. It holds authority over the licensing of commercial activities and the enforcement of fair trading standards more broadly. Visit: mociip.gov.om

Oman Consumer Protection Association (OCPA)
The OCPA is a civil society body whose work focuses on advocating for consumer rights, building public awareness, and offering guidance to individuals seeking to understand their entitlements. It serves as a non-governmental counterpart to the PACP and can be a useful resource for consumer education and escalating unresolved complaints.

Central Bank of Oman (CBO)
Where a consumer dispute concerns a financial product, banking service, or payment transaction — such as an unauthorised charge — the Central Bank of Oman is the appropriate regulatory authority. The CBO has been a driving force behind Oman’s cashless payment initiatives and digital finance infrastructure, and it handles complaints relating to licensed financial institutions. Visit: cbo.gov.om

When preparing a formal complaint for any of these bodies, assemble all available evidence in advance: receipts, product photographs, screenshots of online listings, written exchanges with the seller, and warranty records. Even if you initially contact an organisation by phone, follow up in writing to create a documented trail. Most government bodies in Oman provide both online complaint portals and in-person services at their Muscat offices.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sunday a normal shopping day in Oman?

Yes. Sunday is an entirely normal working and shopping day in Oman. The country’s weekend is Thursday and Friday, making Saturday through Wednesday the standard working week. Shops and malls trade on Sundays under their usual hours — in contrast to countries like Germany or parts of the UK, where Sunday trading is subject to legal restrictions.

Do I need cash to shop in Oman, or can I use cards everywhere?

Even with high levels of digital payment adoption, physical cash in Omani Rials remains relevant for many everyday transactions. Cards and contactless payments are broadly accepted in large malls and supermarkets. However, traditional souqs, smaller independent retailers, and shops in rural areas often prefer or require cash. Carrying some Omani Rials is a sensible precaution for day-to-day use.

What is the best supermarket for finding international food products in Oman?

LuLu Hypermarket’s strong emphasis on globally sourced products makes it a particularly good destination for South and South-East Asian staples. For European and Western-branded groceries, Al Fair and Spinneys in Muscat offer a wider premium range. Imported items typically cost more than they would in their country of origin, reflecting logistics and import expenses.

Can I use Apple Pay and Google Pay in Oman?

Apple Pay and Samsung Pay are both operational in Oman, enabling contactless payments via compatible Apple and Samsung devices. Google Pay is also now available for Android users in the country. Whether your specific bank account is supported depends on the issuing institution — check with your card provider before depending on mobile payments for everyday purchases.

What are my rights if a product I buy in Oman turns out to be faulty?

Oman’s Consumer Protection Law (Royal Decree No. 66/2014) establishes a clear framework for protecting shoppers against faulty or misdescribed goods. If you receive a defective product, you are legally entitled to a remedy — typically a repair, replacement, or refund. Hold onto your receipt and warranty documentation, and escalate to the PACP if the retailer declines to engage. For the current legal position, visit pacp.gov.om.

Are shopping malls in Oman open on public holidays?

The majority of large shopping malls continue to trade on public holidays and often operate extended hours on those days. City Centre Muscat, for instance, stays open until midnight on public holidays. Smaller shops and some souqs may close entirely. During Ramadan, trading hours shift substantially — most retailers suspend daytime operations and open in the evening instead; confirm schedules locally during that period.

Are there customs charges on international online orders delivered to Oman?

Customs duties may be applied to international parcels that exceed a certain declared value threshold. These rules are administered by the Royal Oman Police Customs Directorate, and both rates and thresholds are subject to revision. Always verify the current position with the official customs authority or the MoCIIP before placing a high-value cross-border order. Some Gulf regional platforms such as Noon.com and Amazon UAE may incorporate import duties into the checkout process for certain products.

How do I make a consumer complaint in Oman?

Begin by raising the matter directly with the retailer, keeping a written record of every communication. If the issue remains unresolved, submit a formal complaint to the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP), which has the authority to investigate violations of consumer protection law and can be reached both online and in person. For disputes involving financial institutions or payment services, the relevant body is the Central Bank of Oman.