Dubai: The 26th edition of Gitex Shopper Autumn 2016 concluded on a positive note despite early concerns.
Retailers have sweetened deals and cut prices on some models to boost revenues on the last two days, and some are facing ‘out of stock’ issues on certain models.
The official figures, relating to footfall and sales revenues, are not expected to be released until later next week, but retailers were in a buoyant mood as shoppers thronged the narrow alleyways of the Exhibition Centre.
“Overall, the show has been to our expectations and we came with a target of single-digit growth. We expect to achieve it as things stand,” said Nadeem Khanzadah, head of omnichannel retail at the Jumbo Group.
Smartphones are the number one category, followed by laptops, TVs and cameras.
“Even though laptop sales were marginally similar to last year in terms of unit sales, there has been a slight decrease in average selling prices this year. TV sales also recorded the same pattern as the prices have been drastically reduced during the eight days of the event,” he said.
Camera sales have surprisingly done well this year, he said, both in volume and value.
The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus were launched on the last day of Gitex Shopper in 2015.
“We are not going to match the same sales we did on the last day of last year’s shopper. If we remove the iPhone impact, then it is expected to be [the] same as last year,” Khanzadah said.
John Abraham, 48, from India, said that it is better to be on the last day of the event as retailers reduce the prices and sweeten the bundle offers.
“I came here to buy a 55-inch LG TV but finally bought a 65-inch TV due to the price drop and the offers. I was tempted to buy many things but controlled myself. This month, I had spent on my house rent and car insurance. Otherwise, I would have purchased a camera and a laptop,” he said.
Lathika Viswanad, 38, from India, said that she bought a refrigerator and an Xbox One for her son’s birthday.
On whether she got a good deal, she said that the prices are much better when compared to the stores outside.
“The bundles are really worth it and I bargained for it,” she said.
On the last day, some retailers were offering buy-one-and-get-one-free deals on smartphones and even the new iPhone 7 models (32GB) had a price cut.
An Emax sales person said that they have done very good on smartphones, TVs and cameras.
“We were offering better prices and bundle offers than other retailers but sales of home appliances did not meet our expectations,” he said.
Life Pharmacy was offering 70 per cent discounts on all health-related products at the event.
Gitex Shopper Spring dates
Organisers of the event, Dubai World Trade Centre, announced the dates for next year’s shopper from March 29 to April 1.
