RECORD YEAR FOR GITEX SHOPPER AS SALES JUMP BY IMPRESSIVE 23 PERCENT

Success of Middle East’s Largest Consumer Electronics Event Fuels Demand for Bi-Annual Show for 2013

Next Show Scheduled for 3 – 6 April 2013

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 21 October 2012

GITEX Shopper’s position as the largest and most influential consumer IT and electronics sales extravaganza in the Middle East was confirmed once again as the 2012 edition of the show drew to a close on Saturday. Contributing a sizeable 10% of the annual revenues for retailers in the UAE, the show plays a key role in meeting the growing demand across the Middle East and neighbouring markets for the latest technology, gadgets and consumer electronics. The show’s move to the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) location was a contributing factor to this year’s exceptional success.

Power retailers and the world’s leading brands reported record sales across the board, with digital cameras, smart phones, laptops and tablets among the best performing categories. A total of AED237 million in sales was generated during the eight-day show, an increase of 23% over 2011. Visitor numbers also swelled to 206,201, a 22% increase over last year.

Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, DWTC said: “Year after year, GITEX Shopper has continued to provide unmatched opportunities for global technology brands and regional retailers, reaching new levels this year, thanks in part to the relocation of the show to its new central DWTC venue. With the latest technology products on display and excellent sales growth reported almost unanimously by our exhibitors, GITEX Shopper 2012 has delivered record results.”

“The recently announced new edition for 3-6 April next year following a directive by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will certainly provide power retailers another great opportunity to meet the growing market demand,” added Almarri.

Leading retailers at GITEX Shopper 2012 reported record sales, with most of them citing double-digit growth over last year. Nilesh Khalkho CEO of Sharaf DG stated: “This year’s edition of GITEX Shopper was the best ever for Sharaf DG. Not only did we achieve phenomenal sales both at the show and across all our stores in the UAE, it also gave us a chance to increase brand awareness for Sharaf DG. The show’s move to DWTC was positive for us. Sharaf DG welcomes His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s initiative to hold GITEX Shopper twice a year in Dubai. The event has become a major attraction for residents as well as tourists and we believe that it holds a lot of benefits to consumers, brands and retailers.”

Vishesh Bhatia, CEO of Jumbo Electronics confirmed that growth at this year’s GITEX Shopper has been in-line with the company’s expectations. “We are excited to record double-digit growth in sales from last year. Tablets have been a significant contributor, with 100% growth over last year. Sales of smartphones also recorded growth of 80% over last year. We believe Jumbo was the largest retailer in this category as well.”

One of the UAE's leading multi-brand consumer electronics retailer, Jacky’s reported a record breaking at GITEX Shopper. Ashish Panjabi, COO of Jacky’s stated: "Our sales during GITEX Shopper increased by 11% from last year. Not only did the exhibition attract returning customers but the new and more accessible venue helped to bring many new visitors to the show, which translated into more sales for us."

“GITEX Shopper has proved to be a remarkable success for EMAX, with 80% growth in our sales for this show,” said Neleesh Bhatnagar, CEO, EMAX. “The 8-day shopping extravaganza contributed more than 8 percent of our annual budget and an impressive 30 percent of our Q3 forecast. We look forward to the next show, which we believe is an opportunity to keep our customers enthusiastic about the latest trends and innovations in technology.”

Sean Connor, General Manager, Plug-Ins said: “GITEX Shopper 2012 has been a very successful show for Plug-ins. Customers were treated to exciting offers on the latest and hottest consumer electronics products which resulted in Plug-Ins posting an 82% increase in sales over last year. Once again, this year saw tablets and smart phone categories doing extremely well.”

One of the UAE’s fast growing electronics retailers, E-City reported extraordinary sales growth over last year. Mueez Rahman, General Manager at E-City said: “We saw a phenomenal increase in sales at GITEX Shopper from last year just in the first five days of the show. GITEX Shopper is an important platform for any electronics and technology distributor, and we look forward to participating in all the future editions of the show.”

Sanjay Dabur, General Manager, Grand Stores said: “Our participation at GITEX Shopper far exceeded our expectations. We received huge interest in our products and a phenomenal 40% increase in our sales revenue. GITEX Shopper is an excellent brand and by relocating to Dubai World Trade Centre, the show has entered a new era of growth and success.”

World famous brands took advantage of the show’s unrivalled influence to showcase their latest products. Firas Tayfour, Head of Retail, Corporate Marketing Division at Samsung Gulf Electronics, said: “This year has been an exceptionally good year for Samsung, with an unprecedented 100 percent increase in sales. The venue’s central location and the bigger retail space also encouraged more consumers to come and experience Samsung’s latest products and technologies.”

D.Y. Kim, President, LG Electronics Gulf FZE said: “GITEX Shopper 2012 was the perfect platform for LG, as the first technology manufacturer, to unveil an OLED TV in the Middle East and Africa Region.”

GITEX Shopper 2013 is set to offer a double bonanza of tech opportunity next year, with a show scheduled to take place from 3 – 6 April 2013, followed by the traditional year-end event in October. Both shows will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.