DSS 2007 sees increase of up to 20 per cent in electronics industry sales

Industry sources attribute the considerable growth rates to a number of factors, including the current increase in tourist arrivals and massive promotions launched by electronics stores, including raffles and large discounts.

Aqil Badri, Chairman of Switch, said his company's sales are up by 15 to 20 per cent since the launch of DSS 2007 compared to other months of the year. "DSS has brought in large numbers of tourists and revived the Emirate's different business sectors," he noted.

Sprawling over 4000 square feet, the Switch Electronic Store at Lamcy Plaza is enjoying high demand as it showcases in excess of 250 products representing more than 35 world trademarks. "Our products include digital sets, domestic appliances, PDAs, mobile phones, kitchen utensils and personal care items," he explained.

D.J. Babani, CEO of Eros Group said, "Eros is the exclusive distributor of many brands in UAE and the Middle East, including Hitachi, Samsung, BenQ and Linux, and is reckoned one of the leading electronics groups in the whole region."

"There has been immense electronics sales growth since the onset of the DSS, as most of the consumers always wait for such events to buy essential household items and make full use of promotions and discounts offered during the period," he said.

He noted that the UAE electronics market is highly competitive due to the continuing introduction of new and sophisticated products. "This entails high marketing skills and innovative promotion efforts especially since profit margins in the electronics industry are quite narrow when compared to other sectors."

There has been a 25 per cent sales increase since the launch of the leading summer bonanza to date, he added, singling out the high demand for electronic appliances, mobile phones, digital video cameras, MP3 sets, home theater appliances, etc.

"Eros is offering several promotions, including providing one free product with each transaction worth a certain sum of money, in addition to the chance to participate and win in the AED 500,000 weekly raffle draw offered by different shopping centres," he added.

Amit Vardhan, Assistant General Manager of Nikai, said the store has had an 18 per cent increase in sales since the onset of the summer season, with domestic appliances, including refrigerators and air conditioners, enjoying the largest share of demand. He expected further sales hikes over the coming period, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

Bradley Bennet, the Divisional Manager for Plug-ins Electronics, an Al Futtaim Group affiliate and one of the largest electronics companies in the UAE, said the company had achieved a 17 per cent sales increase compared to the same period of DSS last year, with digital products enjoying the highest demand.