Jumbo records 10% rise in festive footfall

Jumbo Electronics reported a 10% rise in footfall across the country during Christmas week as retailers look forward to another month-long shopping binge. Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), which starts on Thursday, is also expected to be a major draw for retailers as they slash prices to tempt even more shoppers through their doors.

“It is too early to comment on sales numbers for next year, but we do expect positive growth in the consumer electronics market through the year,” believes Nadeem Khanzadah, head of omnichannel retail at Jumbo Group. “At Jumbo, we expect to see sales revenues rise by 20% during DSF 2015 compared to last year with smartphones, tablets and laptops likely to emerge as the top performing categories.”

Growth across the hospitality, entertainment and retail sectors as well as positive consumer sentiment and easier access to brands online are expected to be the major drivers for the industry this year, says Anurag Bajpai, partner at KPMG for the lower Arabian Gulf region.

“This is expected to positively impact consumer buying next year, and we expect that seasonal peaks in retail sales will continue with events such as the DSF and the Dubai Summer Surprises. We expect that fashion, including apparel, and technology, including wearable technology like watches, smart devices and gaming consoles, will continue to drive the momentum of the retail sector next year,” he adds.