Business | Technology
Celebrations are cautious as Gitex Shopper starts
Retailers exhibiting at the 18th Gitex Shopper yesterday reported good sales during the first two days, but some noted lower footfall and sales expectations in view of the global econ-omic downturn.
- By Cleofe Maceda, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:11 October 20, 2008
- Retailers exhibiting at the 18th Gitex Shopper yesterday reported good sales during the first two days, but some noted lower footfall and sales expectations in view of the global econ-omic downturn.
- Image Credit: Atiq Ur Rehman/Gulf News
Dubai: Retailers exhibiting at the 18th Gitex Shopper yesterday reported good sales during the first two days, but some noted lower footfall and sales expectations in view of the global econ-omic downturn.
Despite thinner crowds thronging the booths, a Samsung dealer reported selling 25 Samsung television sets in one day. Another dealer sold 240 cameras during the opening day alone.
Sales and visitor traffic are expected to hit their peak in the coming days, especially in the evenings, and organisers and exhibitors remain hopeful that this year's retail technology event will emulate the achievements of previous Gitex Shoppers.
"Last year was too good. This year, there's less of a crowd. But there's a lot of interaction going on between the promoters and consumers," said Mansoor Ilahi, a promoter working for Dell.
Less Iranians
Traders attributed the slow turnout of shopping crowds to the non-participation of major retailers, such as Sharaf DG and Plug-ins Electronics at this year's electronic shopping and gaming bonanza.
"Last year, there was more rush. Sales are always slow during the first day, as people walk around and wait for the better offers to come," Bassam Mazbouh, Dell product manager at Emirates Computers told Gulf News.
"Besides, there are some big competitors that are not participating this year, like Plug-ins and Sharaf DG, and I think that has partly affected the visitor turnout.
"Another reason is that people don't spend that much this time. People from Iran, for example, used to come to Gitex, but I don't see a lot of them now."
Ajit Thayil, sales manager for JVC retailer Oasis Enterprises, said the buying trend is expected to fluctuate, as consumers normally react to the global financial turmoil.
"The first day was good, but we're not expecting to go as smoothly as it was," Thayil said.
"If everything goes the same way, we would reach the same target as last year. The world is facing a recession.
"People always think if there's a need for them to spend money. Whereas, before, you had customers coming in and buying off the shelves.
"But now, they're waiting, watching and seeing whether it's necessary for them to spend. However, the year has been good for us. It's just that a little bit of ups and downs are expected," Thayil added.
Although the footfall at the opening day was thinner, Thayil said, there were almost the same number of people spending on consumer IT products this year compared to last year.
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