Retailers keep the surprise kits ready

Customers can expect greater promotions during this year’s Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), starting today, as almost all the big retailers are set to unfold bundles of offers.

The offers include huge discounts, free shopping vouchers, gold coins, airline tickets, raffle coupons and latest electronic devices including high definition TVs and smart phones.

The festival boosts sales by a significant level varying from 40 to 60 per cent more than the monthly average, according to retailers.

“The DSF traditionally contributes at least 50 per cent more than the average monthly sale and we feel this year will be no different. The prices will be competitive and the offers enticing. We will also have exciting promotions with each of the brands we represent,” Niranjan Gidwani, Deputy CEO, Eros Group, told Khaleej Times.

Most of the indicators are positive and activity recorded during the last couple of months is expected to spur during the festival and rest of the year.

“Most indicators are positive and with the traction that we have experienced in the last few months we expect the momentum to continue and strengthen further during DSF. All in all we are bullish on DSF being a great success,” Jumbo Electronics Chief Executive Officer Deepak Khetrapal said.

Retailers are more than optimistic this year and said last year was not bad even when there was a lot more uncertainty globally. “We expect this year to be another good year! We are confident that customers will be pleased with our customer-centric approach and real value in our promotions, offers and bundle deals that have been a hallmark of Plug-Ins over the years,” Gaurav Malaviya, Business Head, Plug-Ins, said.

Ashish Panjabi, COO of Jacky’s Electronics, said: “We hope to see more tourists back in DSF 2011. Traditionally touristy products that tend to sell well would be products like smart phones, tablets, laptops, digital cameras and gaming consoles. We expect this to be the same this year as well.”

“DSF 2010 was positive for us as compared to 2009 as buying sentiments were more positive. Now, many of the tourists are coming from countries that are growing positively again,” Panjabi added. “For Eros group, DSF 2010 set the tone for the year and the momentum at the Eros Group never stopped. Our promotions and offers were exciting and so the customer was ready to buy our trusted line-up of great products,” Gidwani said. The company grew by over 30 per cent in 2010 from 2009 and same optimism is expected in 2011, Gidwani said, adding that the DSF is a key part of this growth.

Plug-Ins recorded over 25 per cent increase in visitor footfalls during the last year’s Dubai Shopping Festival. “We are extremely encouraged by this positive response from our customers as a result of our exciting DSF offers combined with the latest consumer electronics products which made Plug-Ins stores a must visit shopping destination,” Malaviya said.

DSF Promotions

This year’s shopping festival is going to be much different with a bundle of offers.

Plug-Ins plan:

Plug-Ins is part of the Al-Futtaim group and a strategic partner of DSF 2011. As always, Plug-Ins, along with its partners will offer exceptional value to customers through promotions and bundle offers. Customers can expect great promotions and offers across all the Plug-Ins stores in the UAE.

Jacky’s jackpot

The electronic retailer plans to extend its Eco-Exchange programme this year among the various promotions. The programme, which started in September 2010 with mobile phones as initial products, is now accepting old notebooks, cameras, MP3 players and gaming consoles from customers wishing to dispose their gadgets properly. Dubbed as ‘Eco-Exchange: Recycling that pays’, customers will receive a cash voucher for their future purchases for every electronic product given for recycling. Under this scheme, customers have the option to trade devices in whatever brand or condition. All devices collected are 100% reused or recycled to the highest industry standards through a strict zero landfill policy.

Eros enticing offers

The famous electronic player was recently voted by SuperBrands Middle East as a Superbrand. Eros has an exciting line up of brands to suit every customer’s pocket and lifestyle. The prices will be competitive and the offers enticing. Eros will also have exciting promotions with each of its brands. A huge marketing exercise is planned and Eros will be investing $1 million during the festival through advertising and promotions.

Jumbo’s jamboree

The electronic retailers shared a bundle of offers that will be available from today:

Key offers: From January 20 to February 20, one raffle coupon will be given for every Dh300 purchase made at any Jumbo store, with a chance to win gold coins everyday.

Sony products: Free vouchers of 500, 300, 200, 100 and 50 dirhams to be given to consumers on purchase of select Sony products. These vouchers are redeemable at any Jumbo store.

Mobile phones/handsets: One Raffle coupon to be given away with every Dh300 value spent on purchase of mobile phones, which gives a chance to win 40” Sony Bravia LCD TV every day during the DSF. One raffle coupon to be given away with every purchase of BlackBerry 9300 or 9105, which gives a chance to win Air ticket to any of the following destinations; Mumbai, Delhi, Karachi, Manila, Cairo, Amman, Cochin, Beirut.

PCs, Notebooks and Accessories: Free accessories with every laptop purchased during the DSF.

abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE