Gitex Shopper returns with years biggest electronic retail experience

As a world exclusive, Gitex Shopper visitors will have an exclusive opportunity to purchase Microsoft's new operating system Windows 7 on new PCs prior to the global launch on 22 October and also pick up some of the best deals of the year from big name exhibitors including, Acer, Compu Me, du and Emax.

Jacky's and Jumbo, strategic partners for the event, have increased their retail space at the show to provide exclusive bundled offers, available only from their stands at Gitex Shopper. Many other major brands will also be providing Gitex Shopper special offers, presenting visitors with some of the best deals for the year.

The product choice will be increased further this year with the return to the show of Plug Ins and Sharaf DG as well as the participation of many new companies including BDL Gulf, Super Speed and Texamedia.

More than 160 companies will be participating in the show from eight different countries.

"Technology fans across the GCC wait for Gitex Shopper each year to pick up the best deals. Gitex Shopper scores another first in its positioning as a credible retail event with the most innovative and up-to-date products for the regional market."

said Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of the show.

In response to overwhelming public demand, the show will open for an extra day and run over two weekends. Dubai World Trade Centre is anticipating good business as people save their money to spend on the exclusive offers at the show.

Research released by Business Monitor International states that the consumer electronics market in the UAE, which includes computing devices, mobile handsets, and video and gaming products will increase from $2.9bn in 2008 to $4.5bn by 2013. The research attributes this to the popularity of devices such as 3G mobile handsets, smartphones, mobile computers and LCD and plasma TV sets. With this in mind exhibitors are looking to these products to be flying off the shelves over the eight days of the show.

This year, more than Dhs2m worth of prizes will be given away. One of the biggest highlights at Gitex Shopper is the raffle draws which take place every two hours throughout the show. By spending certain amount visitors will be entered for the draw, which has a top prize of a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, with other prizes including Xbox consoles, Digital cameras, netbooks, camcorders and LCD TVs.

The Intel Extreme Masters Global Challenge will also be a big attraction to the passionate gamers across the region. In partnership with Turtle Entertainment, the international eGaming league will see professional teams battle it out for prizes in excess of Dhs100,000. Local teams will also compete in regional qualifiers to gain the opportunity to challenge the world's best.

Another area of the show that will draw the crowds is the Windows fashion show, in association with Belkin, which will showcase the best in technology and gadgets from the show. Starting at 12pm each afternoon, the show will take place every hour, on the hour.

Gitex Shopper is supported by Platinum sponsor's Microsoft and Gold sponsor's hp.

Gitex Shopper & Consumer Electronics Expo 2009 will be held at Airport Expo Dubai from the 17 - 24 October 2009. The show runs from 11am to 10pm daily except Friday when the show will be open from 3pm to 10pm. Students from schools and colleges can visit between 11am - 2pm (all days except Friday) and get a special rate.

Photo Caption: (R-L) Yvonne Zeljkovic, Industry Group Manager, Gitex Technology Week, Dubai World Trade Centre, Trixee Loh, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions, Dubai World Trade Centre, Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre, Hemesh Chandavarkar, Industry Group Manager, Gitex Shopper, Dubai World Trade Centre, Maryam Almehairi, Project Manager, Gitex Technology Week, Dubai World Trade Centre