The 15th edition of Gitex Shopper drew to a grand close at the Airport Expo yesterday, with retailers reporting sales in excess of Dh76 million, marking a 36 per cent increase in transactions over last year. About 117,994 people visited the show, an increase of over 9.25 per cent over last year. The organiser's used a range of marketing tactics to increase visitor numbers visitors were "overwhelmed by promotions, value-adds, and cash prizes, one kilogram gold a day offers and much more from vendors and resellers."
 Devadasan/Gulf News Shoppers make their last-minute purchases at the Gitex Shopper 2005. The organisers used a range of marketing tactics to increase the number of visitors, who were overwhelmed by promotions, value-add-ons and cash prizes, one kilo of gold a day offers and much more. |
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"The retail platform has proved it is not only IT-related, but product related to home entertainment, digital convergence and multimedia entertainment, the event's organiser told the Gulf News. The show has proved able to demonstrate the latest products, and offer them at "rock-bottom prices."
"Apart from the price, bundling of products proved to be enticing to consumers. Consumers were more selective and sought products that came with bundled items, going for the best bargains. This is the hallmark of the event," said DWTC Director General Helal Saeed Khalfan Al Merri.
Emirates Computers reported more than 25 per cent increase over the Dh10 million in sales last year.
"We have met our expectations and improved our volume of sales by a substantial 25 per cent this year," said Sales Manager Nidal Ghazreddine.
Miran Ellahee, Marketing Manager of Plug-Ins claimed a sharp 50 per cent increase in sales from last year.
Tally Solutions' Vice-President Software Services Group, Global Channel Sales, Anil Pant said, "We sold 1,000 annual packages of our software that cost Dh20,000 each totalling Dh20 million."
Atiq Kazi, head of advertising and sales promotion for JVC, reported an increase in sales volume to Dh1.7 million.
Jumbo announced sales of Dh13 million while Trigon reported sales of Dh1.3 million. Cosmos did not give precise figures but reported an 80 per cent jump in sales from last year.
CompuMe reported a steep 60 per cent rise in sales to Dh3 million as consumers took in all that was on offer. The company had tripled their stand space at the Airport Expo in order to maximize their campaign this year.
Aptech, though participating for the first time at Shopper, reported sales of around Dh300,000 in the last two days alone.
Gitex Shopper 2005 featured 140 exhibitors from 15 countries in double the exhibition area available in 2004.
Factfile
Major gainers
- About 117,994 people visited the show, an increase of over 9.25 per cent over last year.
- Emirates Computers reported more than 25% increase over Dh10m in sales.
- Plug-Ins claimed a sharp 50 per cent increase in sales.
- Tally Solutions old 1,000 annual packages of our software that cost Dh20,000 each totalling Dh20 million.
- JVC reported an increase in sales volume to Dh1.7 million.
- Jumbo announced sales of Dh13 million while Trigon reported sales of Dh1.3 million.
- Cosmos reported an 80 per cent jump in sales from last year.
- CompuMe reported a 60 per cent rise in sales to Dh3 million.
