The past year has seen the introduction of many Smart Home Ecosystems, including Amazon Echo, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, SamsungSmartThings, among many others. The intelligent systems allow the user to control a variety of household items to easily manage the home – such as locking the front door, controlling the lights, thermostats, alarm clocks and even window blinds.

“This year we are seeing more exciting devices for the home that can control all manner of things simply with a click of a button, via an App, or even speaking directly to the smart device. As the largest consumer and IT electronics show in the Middle East, GITEX Shopper enables visitors to find everything from smart fridges to smart speakers, all revolutionising the everyday routine and make laborious tasks more manageable,” said Avinash Shanbhogue Portfolio Director – Exhibitions, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)

One of the region’s largest retailers, Sharaf DG, is featuring a wide selection of smart home devices, including Google Smart Home Speaker powered by the Google Assistant and the Nest Thermostat for smart energy efficiency savings.

Regional power retailer, Jumbo Electronics, is showcasing the latest smart home security devices, such as Grains keypad lock, which can operated with a fingerprint and Grains video door bell, which gives a real-time view of the door at any point, via a mobile application.

GITEX Shopper is also a shopper’s paradise for the latest smartphones, TVs, laptops, wearable tech, smart watches, cameras and gaming consoles, all conveniently showcased under one roof, and at unbeatable prices.

Excitement was high as thousands of eager shoppers packed Sheikh Saeed Halls 1, 2 and 3 and the arena on the first day of the show, taking advantage of the latest deals on smartphones, laptops, tablets, wearables and a broad spectrum of the latest consumer electronics. Visitors also enjoyed the dance off, food trucks and entertainment, interactive product trials and incredible giveaways.

“We thank His Excellency Sami Al Qamzi and are honoured for him to open GITEX Shopper this year. GITEX Shopper has always been an exciting and much anticipated event and this year is no exception. Our exhibitors have put together an outstanding show and visitors will have the best consumer electronics shopping week both in terms of creative product and price packaged offers,” said His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority. “We’re looking forward to an exceptional show this year.”

GITEX Shopper 2016 has attracted some of the world’s top tech brands including Asus, Bose, Hisense, HP, Nikon and Samsung, with new product launches taking place across all segments.

From the busy Samsung stand at the show, C. Purushothaman, Head of Marketing (Smartphones & Tablets), IT & Mobile Division at Samsung Gulf Electronics, said: “We are showcasing the latest products and experiences from our ecosystem of mobile and consumer wearables. In addition to the Galaxy Note7 which is generated strong interest, we have our extensive mobile and consumer electronics portfolio including the Galaxy S7, TabPro S, the 2016 range of SUHD TVs, AddWash washing machines, Twin Cooling refrigerators, and Gear Fit2 and IconX wearables. Visitors can also get the first look and touch of the new Gear S3 that just launched at IFA – we have it here, even though the formal regional launch is not until later this year.”

With their focus on innovation, HP’s Mathew Thomas, VP and MD, HP Inc. Middle East & Saudi Arabia, said: “At HP, our motto is to keep reinventing. And this year with our range of innovative products across desktops, printers, scanners and gaming devices, we have raised the bar once again in bringing new disruptive technologies to the market. We have unveiled a number of new ranges here today, as well as a number of special promotions and activities, while the gaming chamber has been jam packed with avid fans. This is an exciting time and we are enjoying sharing it with our customers.”

Mahiuddin Khasru, Sub Regional Head, ASUS Middle East, said: “At ASUS, we pride ourselves on bringing the latest innovations to our broad base of consumers and there is no better platform than GITEX Shopper to allow them to experience our products first hand. This year, we are offering a wide range of products that ensure consumers get the full ASUS experience. We are also showcasing immersive VR with an engaging and exciting experience.”

Top regional distributors and power retailers including Axiom, Jacky’s Electronics, Jumbo Electronics and Sharaf DG add to the stellar line-up of exhibitors.

Offering great bundle deals and promising a fun atmosphere at the show, Mahesh Chotrani, Assistant Vice President, Jacky’s Electronics, said: “We’re back at GITEX shopper for the second time this year with amazing offers and a seamless shopping experience. Every year we try to do something different and unique for our visitors, and this year is no different. We’ve got the latest products from the world’s top electronic brands including the newly launched Apple IPhone 7 and Samsung Note 7 – for which we are seeing great demand. For Lenovo fans, we have a dedicated area for the latest in Lenovo offerings, including the 2-in-1 Yoga 2 Pro Laptop. And in addition to our amazing deals, we’re also running a live dance competition here on our stand all week long. Jacky’s Electronics is the place to be!”

Promising incredible deals during the show, Srikant Gokhale, CEO, Emax commented, “As part of our 10th anniversary at GITEX Shopper, we’ve got offers that are well worth celebrating! Special deals on both favourite and the latest products, and a host of engaging activations and promotions that reward every visitor to our stand, you can see why we have such a crowd here. Every visitor who shops for AED 5,000 or more can spin to win guaranteed giveaways like iPhone 7, iPads, Samsung Mobiles and Emax Gift Vouchers plus hourly auctions on a range of products. We’ve got around 400 trained and knowledgeable staff this year, our stand is the most consumer friendly in its layout, and our check-out process is the easiest ever.”

Nadeem Khanzadah, Head – OmniChannel Retail, Jumbo Group, said: “We’ve got the latest and most comprehensive line-up of products, and a fabulous range of competitive offers, promotions and premium giveaways like no other retailer. Apple fans are thrilled that we have the much awaited iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, and latest Sony Xperia XZ is capturing a lot of attention. There’s new products across the board here from major brand, ranging from laptops to wearable smartwatches and even virtual reality (VR) technology.”

The official bank for GITEX Shopper 2016, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), is offering incredible promotions during the show. Visitors who spend over AED 1,000 will get their entry tickets refunded and they are eligible to convert their spending into an easy instalment plan with 100% monthly or 12 months Murabaha profit waiver. Visitors who apply for an ADIB card will have a chance to win an Apple Watch, while those who spend using their ADIB Covered Card will get a chance to win 100% cashback (maximum of AED 50,000).

Additional to the never before, never again seen offers, this year’s visitors have the chance to win a number of incredible prizes and giveaways. Simply by making it down to the show on any of the eight days, visitors stand the chance of winning the latest Oppo smartphone, while one lucky shopper will leave the show behind the wheel of the grand prize – a brand new Mitsubishi Montero Sport.

Visitors spending AED 3,000 or more have the opportunity to win one of 32 seaplane flights and holiday packages worth AED 15,000, while the ‘Scratch and Win’ raffle gives visitors the chance of winning an 80 Nikon D3300 camera.

Centrally located at the Dubai World Trade Centre, visitors have the option of arriving by metro which is conveniently located just meters from the door, or by car as there is ample parking for those driving. There are a number of food trucks, and a range of interactive activities to ensure a great day out for all the family.

GITEX Shopper 2016 runs until Saturday, 8 October and is open from 11:00am – 11:00pm every day. This year, tickets for GITEX Shopper will be priced at AED 30 for the weekdays and AED 35 for the weekend. Entry is free for children below the age of five.

In addition to being a bargain hunter’s paradise for all things tech, GITEX Shopper serves as a playground of novel entertainment features, competitions, prizes and activities that will keep visitors enthralled and engaged from 11:00am to 11:00pm every day of the show. Millions of dirhams in prizes will be up for grabs this year, and will include an car [SUV], dream holidays and cutting-edge tech products given away daily.

Demand for the latest consumer electronics, whether for work, home, entertainment or communication, continues to grow in the Middle East. In the UAE alone spend on consumer electronics is expected to reach USD 4.58 million by the end of 2016, according to Business Monitor International (BMI) and the country remains one of the leading consumer technology markets in the MENA region. The country is rated globally as a key market because of its role as a trading hub serving the GCC and other neighbouring markets. Retailers and distributors in the emirate serve a potential market of almost two billion people, with GITEX Shopper acting as an important additional retail marketplace to reach a wider segment of consumers.

“GITEX Shopper has always been an exciting and much anticipated event – as much for consumers as it is for those participating on their stands. This is a show that contributes considerably to the market, bringing new products to the region, and offering retailers and top brands a shopfront with exceptional footfall,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). “Waiting has never been so worthwhile – not only will visitors be able to choose from the widest range of the latest products, they’ll be saving more by buying at GITEX Shopper. It’s unbeatable in every sense.”

Expected product leaders at GITEX Shopper this year reflect the global trends in consumer electronics, with the handheld devices segment expected to maintain its dominant position, particularly as smartphones continue to increase in capability and features. The audio/video segment is predicted to develop at a rapid pace thanks to the introduction of wireless technology in audio devices, while the demand for innovative connected television sets is expected to be a major driver of the consumer electronics market, both regionally and globally.

With the wearable tech market forecast to reach a staggering US$56 billion by 2020, fashionable and functional devices such as the Apple watch, Samsung’s Gear Fit2, Fitbit Surge and Garmin’s Vivoactive are likely to be in high demand. And with Virtual Reality quickly becoming an actual reality for all, heads-up displays such as Samsung Gear 360 and Gear VR are making VR hardware both accessible and affordable.

The world’s top tech brands and regional power retailers will offer the latest range of products in each technology segment at GITEX Shopper 2016. Commenting on Samsung’s participation and their new dedicated Virtual Reality Zone, Purushotham, Head of Marketing (Smartphones & Tablets), IT & Mobile Division at Samsung Gulf Electronics, said: “Our participation at GITEX Shopper has grown consistently over the past eight years, both in size and scale, as well as the diversity of our product offering. This year we will be showcasing our latest range of smartphones including the Galaxy Note7 and Galaxy S7/S7 edge, as well as ground breaking innovations such as the Gear 360 and the Gear VR. We will have a dedicated virtual reality zone complete with 4D chairs to transport visitors into whole new world of possibilities. We are sure that fitness enthusiasts will find our growing wearables segment, with the recently launched Gear Fit2 and IconX, especially intriguing.”

More than 35,000 products will be on offer at the show this year, with global players such as Dell, HP, Huawei, Samsung, Microsoft and more among the many brands showcased. Top regional distributors and retailers, including Emax, Jacky’s, Jumbo, Plug Ins and Sharaf DG, will be enjoying healthy competition with spectacular promotions being created exclusively for GITEX Shopper visitors.

Promising incredible offers and surprises during the show, Nadeem Khazadah, Head of OmniChannel Retail at Jumbo Group said: “Jumbo Group has been an active participant at GITEX Shopper since its inauguration 25 years ago. The show is an indispensable channel for us to engage with both existing and new customers, and is a key factor in our annual growth in sales and volumes. This year we are expecting a rise in wearables, fitness devices and VR headsets, backed, of course, by high volume sales of smartphones. Our special offers will include multimedia headphones, Bluetooth speakers and large screen televisions, and we’re telling Shoppers to also watch out for a surprise in the VR space.”

“GITEX Shopper is not just an electronics exhibition; it’s a platform that allows us to demonstrate our strength in customer service and customer experience. We are coming up with some innovative concepts for our visitors this year, something truly special that has never before been done at the show – and that’s only part of what we’ll be offering in terms of best deals, offers and promotions,” said Mahesh Chotrani, Assistant Vice President of Jackys electronics.

GITEX Shopper 2016 will take place from 1 – 8 October and will open from 11:00am – 11:00pm every day. This year, tickets for GITEX Shopper will be priced at AED 30 for the weekdays and AED 35 for the weekend. Entry is free for children below the age of five.