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Gitex Shopper event may post bumper sales [Khaleej Times (United Arab Emirates)](Khaleej Times (United Arab Emirates) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) More than 100 leading consumer IT and electronics brands will be represented at Gitex Shopper this year, with more than 35,000 products on show. The Middle East's largest consumer IT and electronics show, Gitex Shopper, is expected to post bumper sales performance at this year's event next month with more than 210,000 visitors likely to throng the eight-day electronics shopping extravaganza, The premier event bringing together the region's power retailers and the world's biggest electronic brands, runs from September 27 to October 4 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Strong sales of tablets, smartphones and Digital SLR cameras — traditional Gitex Shopper favourites — have positioned the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) alongside China and South America among the territorial contenders to overtake North America as the world's dominant consumer technology market, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. Mobile phone penetration remains strong across the Middle East and currently stands at 109 per cent, some 19 per cent higher than the global average and comfortably ahead of the US (103 per cent) and Asia Pacific (100 per cent). Conversely, regional smartphone adoption has catalysed widespread amateur photography among consumers which has subsequently boosted sales of DSLR cameras. Additional digital platforms per household — tablets, UHD TVs and laptops in particular — are also strong contributors to continued market growth in the region. "With the UAE's consumer electronics market forecast to reach Dh16 billion by next year, Gitex Shopper remains a critical platform for the region's consumer electronics industry," said Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice-president, DWTC. More than 100 leading consumer IT and electronics brands will be represented at Gitex Shopper this year, with more than 35,000 products on show. Global players include Bose, Dell, Hewlett, Huawei, Lenovo, Nestle, Samsung, Seagate and Toshiba. A host of regional power retailers including Al Falak Electronics, E-City, Jacky's, Jumbo, Max, Mega, Plug Ins and Sharaf DG will also be running exclusive show promotions. "Gitex Shopper is the most anticipated retail event of the year and one that makes a sizeable contribution to our exhibitors' annual revenues," LohMirmand said. — [email protected] (c) 2014 Khaleej Times. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info). |