First Gitex Shopper Spring edition to open doors

Dubai: Retailers are excited to have another version of Gitex Shopper as it provides the only platform in the Middle East for consumers to reach the top retailers and international electronics brands in under one roof.

The first Gitex Shopper Spring 2013 opens doors from April 3-6 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Millions of dirhams worth in prizes are up for grabs with promotions, raffles and giveaways, including a Mini Cooper 2013 to be won every day of the show.

Power retailers like E-Max, E-City, Jacky’s Electronics, Jumbo Electronics and Sharaf DG are occupying more than 20,000 square metres of floor space to offer visitors access to more than 30,000 products.

Hemesh Chandavarkar, Director — Consumer Cluster, Exhibitions and Events Management at Dubai World Trade Centre, said that the eight-day Gitex Shopper in October attracted more than 206,000 visitors.

“This year, also we are expecting proportional to that. We have even reduced the entry fee from Dh30 to Dh15 this year to offer visitors a better experience,” he said.

Windows 8 products will be available at the Shopper for the first time this year apart from bundled offers from retailers on smartphones, tablets, TVs and DSLR cameras.

“The Shopper Spring edition is especially timely as it falls during the school holidays when we see an influx of regional tourists, with their families, who seek out the latest consumer electronics in Dubai,” Neelesh Bhatnagar, CEO of Emax, said. He added that it falls between Gitex 2012 and Gitex 2013, and is four months after DSF. “Internationally, a variety of new products have been launched since Gitex 2012 and we are sure consumers will find it good to have such shopper in this particular period on time.”

“UAE is considered a shoppers’ paradise. Regardless of the time, consumers are always on the lookout for deals and new products. The event is a major attraction and beneficial to consumers, brands and retailers and it will definitely give a boost to the local retail industry,” said Nadeem Khanzadah, Head of Retail at Jumbo Electronics.

The trend of smartphones and tablets continue this season. There is a demand for TV and SLR cameras too. “Consumers eagerly wait to see what the retailers have to offer — both in terms of deals and latest in technology,” Khanzadah said.

It’s an opportunity for resellers to sell out their old models, said Bhatnagar. “They can promote them in a very attractive way “through discounts or promotions, as long as a consumer is open to the purchase.”