Kuwait’s White Friday deals begin weeks before 27 November

If you’ve walked into a mall in Kuwait this week and noticed discount banners already up, you’re not imagining it. White Friday, usually a single day of sales, has turned into a weeks-long shopping season this year, and it started well before the official date of 27 November.

Shops selling clothing, electronics, furniture and smartphones are already cutting prices, partly to catch shoppers buying winter clothes early. If you’ve been waiting for the best deal on a new phone or sofa, the countdown has already begun, and it’s worth knowing the rules behind these offers before you buy, the same way it helps to know the steps for renewing your car registration online.

Why are shops starting so early?

White Friday in Kuwait has moved away from being a one-day event. Retailers now spread their discounts across most of November instead of saving everything for the last Friday of the month.

This gives businesses a longer window to capture spending, attract more customers and keep sales activity high for weeks rather than hours. It also helps retailers manage stock, clearing older collections to make room for new arrivals, and keep their brand visible during a competitive season.

Shops are combining two trends at once: rising demand for winter clothes and seasonal essentials, and the build-up to White Friday itself. That’s why you’re seeing discounts on sweaters and heaters at the same time as deals on smartphones and TVs.

What kind of deals are on offer?

Discounts vary widely depending on the retailer and the type of product. Some offer straightforward price cuts in-store. Others run exclusive deals through mobile apps or online stores only.

Sectors seeing the most activity include electronics and home appliances, fashion, furniture and perfumes. Shopping malls, traditional shops and e-commerce platforms are all competing for your attention, which means you now have more time to compare prices before deciding where to buy.

Online shopping and delivery services are playing a bigger role than in past years, handling the extra demand and giving shoppers a more convenient way to grab deals without visiting a mall. If you shop online often, it’s worth reading about TikTok’s new standalone shopping app, since social media platforms are increasingly part of this discount season too.

How does the Ministry of Commerce make sure discounts are real?

This is the part most shoppers don’t think about, but it directly affects whether you’re getting a genuine deal. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is increasing oversight of all promotional campaigns this season.

Before any shop can advertise a sale, it must submit details through the ministry’s sales and discounts licensing system. This includes the products being discounted, their prices, and previous sales invoices, so the ministry can verify the discount is real.

The Consumer Protection Department also carries out inspections to check that shops are following their approved pricing and licensing terms. Shops must clearly display both the original price and the discounted price. Approved price lists cannot be changed without the ministry’s permission.

There’s a specific rule designed to stop a common trick: the promotional price must not be higher than the lowest price the shop charged for that product in at least the month before the sale started. In plain terms, a shop cannot raise a price first and then