30 September 2016
Key retailers, top brands splash big promos, price discounts to lure customers

Dubai: Retailers are geared up for the eight-day shopping fiesta as many new products are launched exclusively for the event.

The Gitex Shopper Autumn 2016, which is celebrating 26 years, opens its doors from October 1-8 at Dubai World Trade Centre.

Top smartphone makers say the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 and iPhone 7 smartphones will be at the stands, but there are other brands like Sony and HTC which are also launching models exclusively at the event.

This year, HP, Dell, Asus and Acer are launching a new line-up of PCs, gaming machines and printers to catch the attention of consumers’.

Some of the key retailers as well as top brands are spending big on promotions, price discounts, and marketing to lure customers to the tech shopping fest.

Nilesh Khalkho, CEO of Sharaf DG, said consumer spending in the last few months has started to see an upswing and many new product launches have seen great response from people looking to experience the latest technologies.

Consumers have a chance to see the upcoming “Moto Mods” phone at Sharaf DG’s exclusive zone called “Android DG” in partnership with Google. Visitors can experience this phone which has various snap-on /snap-off attachments to enhance the phone’s features such as a Hasselblad camera lens, an Insta-Share projector or a JBL SoundBoost speaker.

“We would be offering consumers a chance to pre-book this phone at Gitex from October 5 onwards,” Khalkho said.

In partnership with Microsoft, Sharaf DG has a zone showcasing the latest Windows technologies and devices along with activities like the Forza racing pod, digital caricatures, and dance central zone. With HP, it is showcasing the Omen “Torture Chamber” 6D gaming experience brought in from Europe and the VR gaming experience, and also bringing in a premium gaming experience in partnership with Asus’ Republic of Gamers.

Retailers expect smartphones and two-in-one (tablet/laptop hybrids) and convertible laptops to steal the limelight.

“We are positive about Gitex and the investment hasn’t come down. I have invested in the design and experience of the stand, apart from the exciting offers,” said Mahesh Chotrani, assistant vice-president of Jacky’s Electronics.

“Laptops will steal the limelight, while I am optimistic the smartphone category will also grow but not to the range it was earlier,” he said.

Moreover, Chotrani said that about 60 per cent of his investment is going to laptops category and second will be smartphones. There is no real third category, he said.

“TVs with large-screen sizes will do well, but not great while cameras will do better. There are still people who prefer to have professional SLRs in their hand,” he said.

Jacky’s have created an exclusive experience zone for cameras. “Many retailers’ focus has been on smartphones and the retailers are not promoting cameras properly,” he added.

For gaming enthusiasts, the big news is that the FIFA 17 will be available at the event.

“In the UAE, customers often tend to hold back their purchases to take advantage of deals and promotions across different product segments during high-profile retail exhibitions such as Gitex Shopper,” said Nadeem Khanzadah, head of omnichannel retail at Jumbo Group.

He said that consumers are also looking to buy laptops that are lightweight with faster processors and bigger memory.

© Gulf News 2016