Dubai: Retailers are confident that the launch of the Apple Watch in the UAE, which they expect later this month, will give the smartwatch segment the much-needed traction is has been lacking.
In an industry where most top brands have already released more than one smartwatch model, the launch is seen giving the smartwatch segment the “attention it needs”, according to Nadeem Khanzadah, head of omnichannel retail at the Jumbo Group.
He said the Jumbo Group had already placed orders for the device even though the launch date is yet to be confirmed.
“Our feeling is that the [smartwatch] will eventually replace... activity trackers, which are used to monitor steps, calories and sleep patterns,” Khanzadah said.
Khanzadah sees smartwatches also edging out regular watches in the long run as they get more trendy.
“The varied use of wearable [devices], for fashion or fitness, will help capture a wider range of trend-spotting shoppers,” Khanzadah said, adding that the Jumbo Group is offering “good discounts on wearable bands”.
Sandeep Saihgal, Huawei Consumer Business Group vice-president for the Middle East, concurs.
“For the last couple of years, wearable devices have not grown significantly, globally and regionally,” Saihgal said.
In the past, people would wear the watch on one hand and other wearable devices such as activity trackers on the other to monitor exercise or sleep patterns, he said, as they were unable to get a device offering all these functions.
“What we are trying to do is adding fashion to the technology,” Saihgal said. “The idea is to merge fashion and technology... and combine [them] into one.”
Neelesh Bhatnagar, the chief executive officer of Emax Electronics, acknowledged that while the launch dates were not yet fixed, his company had proceeded to place orders for limited quantities.
“We are having discussions with the Apple team,” Bhatnagar said.
However, for Omar Abu Shaban, general manager at Plug Ins, even though wearables hold much promise, it may be too early to see significant sales.
Abu Shaban said wearables were all about the experience, adding that “we will make sure that customers will take a look when they visit our stand.”
“We haven’t placed orders for the [Apple Watch} but will be selling it eventually,” Abu Shaban said. “The grey market is flooded with Apple Watches.”
Apple’s media office, however, denied any knowledge of the planned launch when contacted for comment.
The smartwatch segment is currently flooded with premium brands as well as second-tier offerings.
Cisco predicts that wearable device sales in the Middle East will grow from the 700,000 seen in 2013 to eight million by 2018.
