Video: Mad rush at Gitex Shopper 2018 closing day

Dubai - Retailers were in a positive mood anticipating higher sales figures when the final tally would come.

It was a mad rush on the closing day of the five-day Gitex Shopper 2018 at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Saturday.

Shoppers scrambled for the best deals as prices of several items registered further cutbacks during flash sales; auctions of electronic goods and smartphones were fiercely fought as buyers tried to outbid each other down to the last dirham; and retailers were in a positive mood anticipating higher sales figures when the final tally would come.

Many who arrived over the weekend were satisfied that their tactic coming on the last day of the mega-sale, which began on Tuesday, paid off as deals came down easy on their pockets and more freebies were thrown into the bundle.
Carrying a 55" smart-LED TV and other freebies he hoarded, Indian expat Anshul exemplified the shoppers mood on Saturday. "I really waited for this day to get my hands on my long-wished TV. The price was a steal plus I got more items which I would definitely not be able to get if I bought my TV from a mall on a regular day," he told Khaleej Times.

Another Gitex shopper, Dubai resident Renjith Nair, said he has always been a fan of Gitex and he always go on the last day of the sale to get sweeter deals. He said he actually had a hard time choosing between the latest Samsung and Nokia smartphones but ended up buying the one from a store which gave him extra items.
Meanwhile, British expat Thomas Walls did not actually intend to come on the last day but he was busy during the first four days of Gitex. "Fortunately I got free time today (Saturday) and I already bought some electronic goods and looking for one more item - a karaoke," he said.
Many shoppers were also on the lookout for flash sales and instant auctions. An Indian shopper narrowly beat his compatriot for the latest Huawei P20 Pro by posting just Dh5 more in one of the afternoon auctions.
Mahnoor Tari from Emax said the mood on Satureday was expected. "Shoppers always make a mad rush on the last day and many of them go home happy with their purchase."
"We had more shoppers today (Saturday) than yesterday (Friday)," Filipino salesperson Ana Marie Yap added. "Although our price was the same as on the first day (Tuesday), we decided to give more freebies like free Bluetooth speaker and mic for the karaoke set we offered," she explained.
Although sales figures at Gitex were not available yet as at press time, the numbers were expected to register a slight growth as compared to 2017. Last year, 200,000 visitors trooped to the exhibition and because there was no Gitex in April, customer footfall was expected to post an upsurge.
Over-all sales were expected to grow by approximately 1-2 per cent, reaching Dh245 million, as compared to last year's edition when consumers bought electronic items worth Dh240 million.
angel@khaleejtimes.com

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