Gitex Shopper 2008 marks pleasing growth

A record 172 participants, including vendors, distributors and retailers from the region and beyond were a part of the event, displaying over 25,000 products including laptops, PCs, mobile phones, cameras, gaming & entertainment, consumer electronics, home entertainment, office automation, and a host of new leisure products like net books and blue ray based electronics. The extensive product portfolio was complemented by exciting new additions like the Gitex Digital Game World, extensive transport arrangement to and from the venue, one-of-a-kind promotions and giveaways and an extended floor area, ensuring that all the ingredients for a highly successful show were all in one location.

Mr. Ashish Panjabi, Chief Operating Officer of Jacky's Electronics, said:

"We have a long standing association with Gitex Shopper, and I must say that this year's event had a renewed buzz of energy and anticipation around it. The extra efforts made by the organiser to accommodate a new breed of audience and enhance visitor comfort has been reflected in the sales, and we are very pleased to report a 60% increase in sales compared to last year."

Mr. Panjabi was just one of the numerous happy exhibitors reporting significant increases in sales.

"Our objective was to give the visitors at Gitex Shopper the HP experience and support our partnering retailers. In all, I believe we have been very successful in achieving our goals and are very happy with our decision to participate at the event. The footfall has definitely been very good and the buzz and excitement around the HP stand has just been excellent throughout the show," said Anil Kumar, General Manager, Personal Systems Group, HP Middle East.

Besides the exhibitors, the organiser was understandably pleased with the success of the event. "I am delighted to note the progressive success of Gitex Shopper as the most exciting and entertaining technology retailing show," said Mr. Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai World Trade Centre, the show's organiser.

"The new feature, Gitex Digital Game World was extremely well received and captured the interest of gamers and visitors alike," he added.

Visitors to the show, tourists and residents alike, made the most of the exciting bargains and promotions at the show. "I came here to buy a new digital camera, and walked away with a free photo printer. So it's fair to say that I definitely got more than I bargained for and will definitely be back next year," said a very happy Mia Villamain, a visitor to the show who is originally from the Philippines. Even those not lucky enough to win a prize were thrilled with the choice and bargain prices on offer.

"It's impossible to get this kind of choice under one roof to compare features, prices and designs like I had at Gitex Shopper. While decision making might be a bit hard because there is so much to choose from, you can rest assured that you have not missed anything in terms of what is out there in the market before you make your decision," said Ketan Patel, a regular visitor to the show, who is an Indian national residing in Dubai.

Another success of this year's event was the new concept of park and ride. The offsite parking at the Sheikh Hamdan Mosque provided shoppers with an easy entrance and exit even with the high volume of visitors.

Those that missed out on the shopping extravaganza can look forward to Gitex Shopper 2009, scheduled to be held from 17 - 23 October.