Dubai: Tech-savvy shoppers are gearing up for an eight-day extravaganza of buzz, bargains and high energy when the main Gitex Shopper 2014 opens doors from September 27 to October 4 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The event, bringing together the region’s power retailers and the world’s biggest electronic brands, is expected to attract more than 210,000 visitors.
More than 100 leading consumer IT and electronics brands will be represented this year, with more than 35,000 products on show.
“With the UAE’s consumer electronics market forecast to reach Dh16 billion by next year, Gitex Shopper remains a critical platform for the region’s consumer electronics industry. Every year the exhibitors become even more competitive in their offers, making sure new products are launched at show and planning deals, promotions and competitions to excite consumers and attract hundreds of thousands of visitors,” said Trixie Loh Mirmand, senior vice-president, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
Neelesh Bhatnagar, CEO of Emax, said that the Shopper has gained so much traction over the years that it has become the much anticipated tech bonanza in the region.
“We are expecting a heavy tourist influx [at] this Shopper as it coincides with the Eid Al Adha holidays, which would mean an opportunity to showcase our deals across a different base of consumers, increase sales and expecting an overall positive outcome to the event,” he said.
They know that this is the one occasion “not to be missed” to benefit from the outstanding offers and promotions. Just as it creates value for consumers, Shopper is very important for retailers as it is a “major sales driver,” he said.
Strong sales of smartphones, tablets, laptops and TVs — traditional Shopper favourites — have positioned the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) alongside China and South America among the territorial contenders to overtake North America as the world’s dominant consumer technology market, according to the Consumer Electronics Association.
The Shopper is the perfect place to find the latest technology products at the best possible prices, and the exhibitors are planning hundreds of deals, new product launches and prizes that beat anything else available on the market.
With discounts and deals going up to 50 per cent of the product value, many retailers are offering attractive bundle deals and offers.
Emax is eyeing 25 per cent growth compared to last year.
“Traditional favourites like smartphones and tablets will continue to fuel demand. Laptops and notebooks will find less traction. TVs will see growth in the high end technologies as consumers veer towards bigger sizes and newer technologies,” said Niranjan Gidwani, Deputy CEO of Eros Group.
“We are anticipating a value growth of between 20 to 30 per cent as we have some major product launches. We also anticipate customer’s preference for Ultra-High definition (4K) panels which will further spur growth,” he said.
Saifuallah, Sr business manager at Al Ghandi Electronics, main distributor for Philips TV in the UAE, said that the demand for 4K TVs is going to very exciting because the prices are dropping very fast. The 4K TV prices have almost reached the old prices of 50-inch entry-level LED TV prices and it might spell the doom for 40 and 42-inch segment.
As it is the ideal time for consumers to make their festive shopping for Eid and Diwali, Gidwani said there will be very attractive deals extending to discounts and gift values up to 30 per cent in some cases.
Eros has earmarked more than $1 million during the period through marketing and offers.
Plug Ins has doubled its stand space to 10,000 square feet and has earmarked Dh6 million for promotions.
“The UAE is growing into a Tier 1 market for technology given the high propensity to spend money of the resident population. I am confident that our various monster deals and major giveaways will live up to the expectations of our shoppers,” said Sean Connor, General Manager at Plug Ins.
He said Plug Ins expects 40 per cent growth in this year’s sales compared to last year.
He said that every shopper with a bill worth Dh500 or more will enter a raffle draw with the chance of taking the Dodge Charger home. All shoppers are guaranteed prizes with a minimum spend of Dh1,000.
“There will be certain exclusive models available with Sharaf DG, which will come with huge discounts to their current prevailing market prices. Along with that we will offer bundled offers which are valuable to the customers,” said Nilesh Khalkho, CEO of Sharaf DG.
Sharaf DG is spending Dh20 million on promotions and offers.
They will be launching exclusive models with few brands like Oppo, a No 3 brand in China, Wiko, a No 3 brand in France. Existing brands like Samsung, Motorola, Sony Xperia, Hisense and others have lined up a few new launches and exclusive offers with Sharaf DG.
“We are also launching an exclusive range of electronic products which are the official merchandise of Manchester City FC.
“Customers are seeking products with official branding of their favourite football club. With the official merchandise of Manchester City FC we have tried to address this very need,” he said.
Jumbo is very bullish about this Gitex and expects around 25 per cent growth in sales.
“It is absolutely a great time for businesses, especially this year. With new smartphone launches taking place, a buzz is already in the air. Technology adoption among residents in the Gulf is exceptionally high and consumers expect to keep abreast of the latest trends,” said Nadeem Khanzadah, head of retail at Jumbo Electronics.
All in all, he said it is good time for the industry and consumers. Consumers are opening their wallets and they are eager to buy newer products.
Jumbo is spending around Dh8 million at Gitex this year.
“TV sales, especially the 32 and 42 inches, stopped selling due to the ban of flat-panel TV imports by India. Now the industry is in the upgrade mode. So consumers are upgrading to larger sizes or to the 4K TVs and curved TVs now,” he said.
Instead of the cheap and multiple products bundling, he said that Jumbo will bundle premium devices to add value to purchases.
