Dubai: UAE retailers are expecting up to 30 per cent growth in sales over the Eid Al Adha holiday period next week.
Neelesh Bhatnager, Chief Executive Office at electronics retailer Emax, said the combination of Gitex, Cityscape, and Eid Al Adha meant retailers were banking on significant sales number over the next fortnight.
“We are gearing for 30 per cent growth over this period as there is a lot happening in the market with the launch of new products,” he said.
The Eid Al Adha holiday is drawing visitors from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as neighbouring countries begin their holidays.
Bhatnager is confident visitors in the market will be looking for electronics despite Eid shoppers traditionally focusing on clothing and fashion.
Bhatnager said Saudi Arabian shoppers would make up the bulk of Emax customers over the next fortnight due to the country’s extended Eid Al Adha holidays.
Customers can expect crowds at Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, and Mirdif City Centre. Bhatnager said each of the three stores could prove to be the busiest for the company during the holiday.
Extended shopping
However, shoppers looking to avoid the crowds should take advantage of extended shopping hours with selected malls and retail outlets opening for 24 hours over the first two days of Eid Al Adha.
Bhatnager said between 2am and 8am would be the quietest period and its staff would utilise the time for stock checks and merchandising.
Nadeem Khazadah, Head of Retail at Jumbo Group, share a similar sentiment. He said that during last years 24 hour shopping sales and foot traffic slowed down after 1am.
But Jumbo Group is expecting a busy Eid Al Adha week. Khanzadah said Jumbo Group was estimating 20-25 per cent growth for the period with the company looking to capitalise on the GCC visitors and UAE residents who missed out on Gitex sales.
Khanzadah said smartphones, tablets, and laptops would drive Eid Al Adha sales with their customers looking for portability.
“Eid Al Adha is timed very well in terms the launch of new smartphones there are 6 premium smartphones that have come in the last few weeks and some of them are not yet available in the other GCC countries so this is a good time to purchase,” he said.
