Credit cards at the ready, Gitex Shopper is back! Starting today, all roads will lead to the region’s biggest consumer electronics show at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Because we know things can get a bit hectic — after all, we’re talking deals from big brands offering more than 30,000 products spread across 35,000 square metres space. Here’s our survival guide on how to do the Shopper to ensure you get the best out of the eight-day shopping bonanza for all things electronics:
Dress for the occasion
You’re going to have to do a lot of walking. The entire Shopper space is 35,000 square metres, that’s roughly about eight international soccer fields to trudge through. So, make sure you’ve got those sneakers on (we doubt the fashion police will be on duty anyway) and wear comfortable clothing so they don’t hold you back as you dash from one offer to the other.
Accessorise
Rucksacks are the accessories du jour here, no kidding. Your fancy handbags will most likely get in the way as you pile up the shopping bags. Make sure you pack some water and snacks. Yes, there will be food stalls but that’s not the focus here, is it? Oh, and some deodorant, please.
Some retailers such as Jacky’s Electronics will give you option of picking up your purchased items right before you leave so you don’t have to lug them around all day.
Fuel up
Make a day of it and grab a lunch or dinner in the neighbourhood: The Dubai World Trade Centre area is a hotspot for a range of dining options within walking distance. The newly opened Conrad Dubai is an air-conditioned walk across the Metro overpass, with options from all-day Italian dining at Ballaro (there’s an outdoor terrace, too) or a steak dinner at Marco Pierre White’s latest restaurant. Onsite, there’s pub grub at McGettigans (they also have fine dining upstairs at The D and are showing live Premier League football from 3.45pm on Saturday) and the new Italian restaurant and lounge Donatello, on the ground floor of the Convention Tower. Those looking for a quick bite should gets some local flavour courtesy gourmet shawarma joint Wild Peeta, next to the Metro entrance. They’re open 10am-10pm.
Leave the car at home
Parking’s going to be crazy — and you don’t want to have to walk that extra mile from parking to the venue because you’re going to be doing a lot of walking inside. There’s a dedicated metro station just steps from the entrance to the show and the RTA have added extra trains to the schedule especially for Gitex.
If you do decide to drive, there are various parking options including the multistorey car park on levels 3 to 6 of the Dubai World Trade Centre and at Shaikh Rashid Tower car park right next to Arena and halls 1 & 2. Those cost Dh10 for 24 hours.
Free parking is also available at 1A, 1B and 1C right opposite the Novotel Hotel and Car Park 2, located opposite Zabeel Hall.
Taxis will be available right outside the Ibis Hotel.
Choose your time
Whether you’re an early riser or a late-night owl, the Shopper will open 12 hours a day, from 11am to 11pm, on all eight days. Of course, mornings and evenings will be the busiest and all day over the weekends. So, pick your timings accordingly. We hear lunch time on weekdays are perfect.
Gitex regulars say the last few days of the Shopper tend to be the craziest. So make sure you get there earlier in the week to avoid the rush.
Bargain Hunters Paradise
Always remember to ask what else you’re getting with the gadget you’ve just bought. There’s no better feeling than bagging a bargain basement deal, with discounts and bundled offers from most of the retailers. Remember, these retailers are trying to get ahead of each other, so play the game, ask for more and you are sure to win.
“It’s going to be driven around bundles more than anything,” says Ashish Panjabi, the COO of Jacky’s Electronice. “And those bundles will change as the days go on based on what is happening there.”
Spend wisely
Of course, you need to keep a tap on your expenditure so you’re not hit with a bomb the next time your bills come around. “Beware of special deals on things you don’t really need, or don’t really want. Before heading out make a list of exactly what you need, and cross items off as you purchase them. Have a really clear idea of how much your budget is for each item,” says Saeid Hejazi, the CEO of Wally, a free iOS app that helps you do exactly that.
“Wally is great for reminding you how much you’ve spent during your shopping trip with a running total of the day’s expenses — even that coffee break and sandwich you stop for should be in your expenses. Of course there’s nothing similar to that impulse buy that will really make your day, so set aside an additional budget for this so you won’t feel guilty when you hand over your bank card.”
Wally is available for free at www.wallyapp.me
Be green
If you’re going all out for the new gadgets, give a bit of thought to the ones you’re doing away with. For the whole of October, Majid Al Futtaim Properties, the company behind the City Centre malls in Deira, Mirdif and Sharjah have launched a Recycle Your Gadget project along with Red Crescent where special bins will be located in each mall for people to drop off their old gadgets. Red Crescent will then ensure all these devices are recycled.
Shopper in the malls
Can’t summon the courage to head to the Gitex Shopper? Fear not. A lot of retailers will be offering similar deals at their stores in the malls.
But, says Panjabi, because competitors are a few feet away at the Dubai World Trade Centre, retailers will react quicker when one of them offers a certain deal. So your chances of making a killer-purchase at the venue are higher.
“Also, if any of the items are in short supply, priority will be to stock up the stalls at the Gitex Shopper,” he says.
If you’re in Sharjah, Sharjah City Centre is offering visitors the chance to win a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 every day if you spend Dh200 on any of the electronics stores at the mall. That’s going on throughout October.
Get lucky
We can’t assure you will win but you can definitely try your luck. Apart from the bargains, there are massive prizes to be won, including an Opel Astra being given away every day of the Shopper. All you have to do is show your ticket and fill in a coupon and cross your fingers. And that’s just by Shopper organisers. Many retailers will have their own raffles too.
Your tickets
Tickets are priced at Dh30 per person, per entry. Entrance for children below the age of five years is free and children below the age of 14 years must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Tickets are available at the venue and at all Eppco, Enoc and Zoom outlets in Dubai. And for the first time this year, you can also buy them in Abu Dhabi at Adnoc outlets. Remember, each ticket comes with a coupon for a chance to win a tablet.
Gitex Shopper will run from October 5 to 12. For more on the event, go to www.gitexshopperdubai.com
