- Jumbo expects continued momentum in consumer electronics sector during GITEX 2016
- Smartwatch segment expected to experience significant demand
- Smartphones and laptops also anticipated to be top GITEX sellers
Dubai, UAE – 28th March 2016: The growing demand for wearable technology and especially smartwatches is set to be one of the dominant trends at the spring edition of Gitex Shopper this year, according to Jumbo Electronics.
Jumbo Electronics, the leading OminChannel retailer in the UAE, will once again have a major footprint at the hugely popular consumer event and anticipates that it will be smartwatches, smartphones and laptops that will generate the most demand and excitement among shoppers.
Nadeem Khanzadah, Head – OmniChannel Retail, Jumbo Group, says the company is gearing up to handle a major surge from a tech-savvy public whose hunger for the latest and most innovative technology shows no sign of abating.
Speaking before Gitex that will start on 30th March at the World Trade Centre in Dubai, he said: “We are already seeing a real appetite for smartwatches and wearable technology that is being strongly driven by constantly improving compatibility with other mobile computing devices, ease of use, fitness-focus, aesthetic design and some high-profile collaborations such as Apple Watch Hermès.”
“There is an increasing demand for sleeker, smarter wearable technology among tech-savvy consumers that companies like Apple, Samsung and Huawei are successfully catering to. But our range of smartwatches will be just one product category among a huge and diverse range of consumer electronics products available at Gitex,” says Nadeem.
GITEX Shopper is one of the most important retail events for Jumbo Electronics every year and the company has been participating since its first edition 25 years ago. Last year at Gitex Shopper, Jumbo witnessed a 15 percent increase in sales compared to 2014. Despite the slowed global economic environment, in the region, we expect to maintain momentum in the sector during this season.
According to IDC, smartwatches shipped worldwide is expected to reach a total of 34.3 million units in 2016, and forecasted to reach 88.3million units by 2019.
Mr. Khanzadah added: “This edition of Gitex comes following a number of high-profile smartphone launches in recent months including the Apple 6s, Samsung Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge and LG G5 and these will be very popular at the show. Given the typical short replacement cycle of smartphones in the Middle East and the demand for high-specs and value for money, we also expect mid-range devices to be a top-selling category.”
In the laptops category Jumbo will be featuring a wide range from leading global brands including HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer and Asus at the show. Jumbo is anticipating high demand for Intel 6th generation laptops and 2-in-1 and gaming laptops.
The range of televisions being showcased reflect the growing demand from customers and their preference for newer technology like OLED, 4K,Ultra High Definition (UHD), and premium sized TVs and from brands like Sony, LG, Samsung, Philips and Hisense.