Take your pick

Four dedicated Xperience Zones provide tips, tricks and advice on the latest gadgets and accessories

The eagerly-awaited 2018 edition of GITEX Shopper — the region’s favourite and longestrunning consumer electronic bonanza — is offering gadget and technology buyers the chance to access the best electronics deals and promotions available in the region.

“For the best part of three decades, GITEX Shopper has served as a bellwether for setting purchasing trends in the consumer electronics segment by supporting domestic retailers and providing millions of consumers with the best deals and unbelievable offers available in the UAE marketplace,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). “This year, GITEX Shopper 2018 will enhance that value proposition by offering visitors exclusive deals and more opportunities to win big, with a raft of hourly and daily competitions which offer prizes unavailable in traditional retail outlets.”

For one of its sections in its new Xperience Zone, the GITEX Shopper team has recruited an army of techsperts from Tech Radar to assist shoppers on the best products to purchase, while a series of Tricks & Tips sessions will see the techsperts offer support, guidance and tips on getting the most out of electronic purchases. From providing tricks on switching between Android and iOS, to taking better photographs on your mobile, GITEX Shopper visitors can get exclusive insights through numerous free-to-attend panel sessions. There will also be an opportunity to check-in for one-on-one advice about the latest smartphones, laptops, tablets, TVs and more.

Making its debut this year is a five-day blitz of video gaming tournaments expected to be contested by more than 400 would-be champions from across the UAE and beyond. Additionally, the Xperience Zone will feature an ‘Unboxing’ demonstrations streamed directly from the show. Making a guest appearance will be the award-winning content creator, YouTuber and Technologist, EMKWAN, who has amassed almost 44,000 subscribers.

Taking technology to new heights, the final section of the Xperience Zone — the Shopper Drone Zone — will offer novice and expert drone operator’s firsthand training on how to operate a drone without crashing it in a safe skills-based area on the show floor. Visitors who love the experience can then pick up a drone of their own at incredible GITEX Shopper prices.

With recent Euromonitor data revealing the UAE’s consumer electronics market is expected to post annual sales of Dh12.3 billion by 2021, smartphones, laptops and HDTVs — the long-time favourites of GITEX Shopper crowds — remain the most popular consumer electronic items in the Emirates. Inhome and in-car electronics also continue to post strong sales, with the International Data Corporation (IDC) forecasting Middle East and Africa consumers will spend in addition of $300 million on smart home technologies this year. Consumers delay purchases for GITEX Shopper According to research conducted by DWTC following last year’s event, 78 per cent of GITEX Shopper visitors revealed they typically delay vital consumer electronics purchases until the show, with 81 per cent insisting a preference to buy at the show over physical and online retailers.

“That’s because GITEX Shopper is ‘synonymous’ with exclusive, marketbusting deals and offers. GITEX Shopper 2018 will once again bring the region’s top retailers and consumer brands together under one unbeatable roof, providing visitors with an experience that they cannot

UAE consumer electronics market is expected to reach

gain online or in stores,” added LohMirmand. “The show is synonymous with value that simply isn’t offered anywhere else in the market and this year’s shoppers will have access to more than 35,000 products ranging from the latest gadgets across smartphones, wearables and cameras, to laptops, HDTVs, consoles and inhome entertainment. What makes GITEX Shopper so popular is that visitors can compare products and deals offered by various retailers at every 10 steps.”

Top electronic retailers to exhibit

Key exhibitors participating at this year’s event include Emax, Jacky’s, Jumbo, Sharaf DG, Axiom, Arabian Trading Agency, Al Ain Phone, KY Style Home, Naam Electronics FZE, Nishat General Company LLC, Time House Trading LLC and Yuet Meng Trading Co Pte Ltd.

“During the five-day event, we are expecting a surge in demand for gaming laptops, thin and light laptops and gaming products, digital cameras, ultralarge televisions using OLED and QLED technologies, as well as high-end smartphones from leading brands,” said Atul Joshi, Head of Distribution at Jumbo Electronics.

“Aside from the bundle offers, GITEX Shopper visitors can enjoy the benefits of JumboSalama, an extended warranty that covers any product defects and physical damage for up to two years. Jumbo Unwired Crew, a team of qualified, experienced and trained tech experts, will also be at GITEX Shopper to assist visitors through gadget-related setup issues via smart solutions, streaming services and voice-assisted solution,” added Joshi.

“As always, we are very excited to be a part of GITEX Shopper, an event which brings together people from across the region,” said Mahesh Chotrani, Assistant Vice President, Jacky’s Electronics.

“Visitors can expect great offers, latest gadgets and products with offers like never before on all categories. Besides getting full value for money, we at Jacky’s Electronics are working on a surprise giveaway for our customers at the show,” he added.

Shop & Win

As part of revamped Shop & Win concepts, GITEX Shopper 2018 is rolling out additional competitions across the show and its social media platforms, including stage activations on an hourly basis every day, and the Shopper Price is Right. Prizes available include an MG ZS Compact SUV, 50x AED1,000 Dell vouchers, and a daily holiday package to Tbilisi in Georgia, Baku in Azerbaijan, Yerevan in Armenia, Goa in India, and Herzegovina in Bosnia.

making its debut this year is a five-day blitz of video gaming tournaments expected to be contested by more than 400 would-be champions from across the uae and beyond. additionally, the Xperience Zone will feature an ‘unboxing’ demonstrations streamed directly from the show.