Gitex Shopper sales seen to top Dh300m

Gitex Shopper sales are expected to cross Dh300 million mark this year as Eid holidays in the U.A.E. and other Gulf countries attracted a record volume of visitors.
Last year, Dubai World Trade Centre — the organiser — reported Dh245 million sales and this year power retailers expect sales volume to grow from minimum 25 per cent to maximum 50 per cent. Only 23 per cent growth compared to last year will generate the sales volume of Dh300 million, according to Khaleej Times calculations.
Good news is that key retailers will continue some of the offers at their stores across the U.A.E. post Gitex Shoppers, subject to stocks availability.
Last year, visitor number crossed 210,000 mark and this year's extended hours for the last two days is expected to attract more visitors compared to 2013. The organiser will release the official data in a couple of weeks.
Special offers, promotions, competitions and unbeatable deals on more than 30,000 latest consumer electronic products added to the general excitement at Gitex Shopper 2014. There were bargains on virtually everything, from smartphones, tablets and laptops to the latest curved UHD TVs, digital cameras, 3D printers, gaming consoles, home appliances and even the quirkiest of karaoke kits.
Power retailers including Al Falak, E-City, E-Max, Jacky's Electronics, Jumbo, Plug Ins, Sharaf DG and 050Telecom bundled products and prizes with unbeatable prices.
Key retailers told this scribe that they witnessed better than expected sales specially during the last two days due to extended hours and traditionally people always wait for last day offers. Laptops, smartphones and TV panels were among top selling items, they added.
"We have achieved more than 40 per cent growth in sales compared to last year and its much better than our sales estimated before the beginning of the Gitex Shopper,” Emax chief executive officer Neelesh Bhatnagar told this scribe on the last day.
Explaining the reason, he said that all positive factors came together including Eid holidays in the U.A.E. and neighbouring countries. "On top of that we had very fantastic offer of free return air tickets to one of 25 destinations on purchase of certain products. We have given away more than 10,000 tickets and more than 2,500 more are expected to be given by the close of last day.”
Sharaf DG chief executive officer Nilesh Khalkho said: "The first seven days of Gitex has been great, we are growing at over 30 per cent both at Gitex Shopper and in our stores. We have over achieved our targets set for the first six days. With proper planning we have ensured that we do not face any stock outs on our promotions. Though there is more demand than supply in the case of the recently launched iPhone, we have been able to service customers.”
Nadeem Khanzadah, head of omnichannel retail at Jumbo Electronics, said: "Sales picked up from last Thursday, Friday was even better and last day is usually the best. Overall, we expect 20 per cent year-on-year growth and 40 per cent in smartphones category.”
The highest category has been laptops this year, he said, adding that this category picked up significantly as a lot of unit sold across all price points. It was dominant category followed by smartphones, he added.
Tablets were not among top selling items during this year's Gitex Shopper. Explaining the reason Khanzadah said: "Tablets were one of the key categories during the last six major events in Dubai. But now it's growing marginally due to numerous reasons.”
Mahesh Chotrani, assistant vice-president at Jacky's Electronics said: "We are optimistic that we will exceed our sales expectations once again. With the last few days of the event overlapping with Eid holidays, and with 60 per cent of our sales typically being generated from the last four days of Gitex Shopper, we expect many local residents and GCC tourists will come to check out the latest deals and exciting bundles.
Deyaaeldin Rezq, sales supervisor at Plug Ins, was also upbeat about the shopper and commented: "The last two days of Gitex Shopper seen higher sales across all segments compared to the 2013 edition. We are aiming to reach a 50 per cent sales increase on last year.”
Source: Khaleej Times