Dubai: The region’s biggest technology retail show — Gitex Shopper — comes to a close on Saturday and exhibitors have reported a surge in sales and a jump in consumer confidence.
Bargain hunters were scouting for last-minute deals as organizers confirmed that more than Dhs 50 million has been invested in bundles and freebies this year, which was matched by a rise in consumer spending.
With the footfall and revenue figures not expected before next week, the retailers are in a buoyant mood.
Last year, Gitex recorded over 206,000 visitors, 22 per cent increase more than the 2011 edition while participating retailers reported total sales in excess of Dhs 237 million, up 23 per cent over 2011.
The footfall is not that important, he said and added that it was the sales by the retailers that are more important and after all it is a retail event. If that is achieved then “I am happy.”
Consumer electronics giants LG, Asus, Nokia and Toshiba chose the Shopper to launch their latest additions to the market.
Majority of participating retailers described this year’s Shopper as a “phenomenal success” and the crowd as bigger than last year’s.
“Sharaf DG has grown by over 74 per cent in value at Shopper over the same period last year. The categories which have done well are laptops followed by tablets and smartphones,” said Nilesh Khalkho, CEO of Sharaf DG.
In terms of quantity, he said laptops grew by 150 per cent, tablets by 275 per cent, smartphones by 51 per cent and televisions by eight per cent over 2012 Shopper. Cameras have remained flat owing to less demand.
“We have done slightly better than last year. This is the first time we are having two Gitex in one year,” said Ashish Panjabi, COO at Jacky’s Electronics.
The biggest deals at Gitex was the free BMW car with every purchase of 84-inch Hisense TV and free two-nights holidays worth Dh750 for a couple with every purchase of Touchmate tablet worth Dh499.
The fastest moving products were smartphones, followed by tablets, laptops, cameras and TVs.
“We expect around 15 per cent growth in sales compared to last year. We will definitely participate next year also. Definitely, we don’t need more than two Gitex a year. Possibly one year is not enough to gauge whether two events are required or not,” said Nadeem Khanzadah, head of retail at Jumbo Electronics.
“Coming April will give us an indicator whether the consumers have an appetite. For us it is good as many events like these happen,” he said.
