HOME Sberbank and Yandex complete joint venture deal
Sberbank and Yandex have completed the formation of a joint venture based on the Yandex.Market platform in Russia. The companies intend to combine the technological capabilities of Yandex and the infrastructure and technologies of Sberbank to develop a leading B2C e-commerce ecosystem. The joint venture is valued at approximately US$1 billion and the two partners will own equal stakes in the company.
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Ring boosts channel reach with X-cite in Kuwait
Smart doorbell brand Ring has announced a partnership agreement with X-cite by Alghanim Electronics, Kuwait’s largest electronic retailer, to distribute Ring’s easy-to-use security devices. This partnership will help Ring expand its reach across the Kuwait market, offering security products and services.
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Retailer confirmations for DISTREE Russia up 71% year-on-year
Retailer confirmations for this year’s DISTREE Russia tech channel hosted buyer event are up 71% compared to the same point last year. With six weeks to go until this year’s event, the increased level of support from Russia’s main consumer tech retailers, e-tailers and online marketplaces reinforces DISTREE Russia’s position as the leading event for consumer tech brands from around the world looking to launch, build or manage routes-to-market in Russia.
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iLife strengthens Lulu partnership
Mobile device and accessories brand iLife Digital claims that its Middle East relationship with retailer Lulu is delivering impressive results for the company. Anees Mian, operations director at iLife Digital Technology, said: “We are seeing highest [levels of] device ownership, reflecting a change in consumer demand for premium yet affordable products. Lulu is a trusted retail chain across the Middle East and we are glad to partner with them, helping us expand our reach in the region.”
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INTERVIEW: Matthias Dolejschi, Nuki Home Solutions
Smart homes need smart locks and Nuki is making a strong name for itself in this fast-growing product category. The team from Nuki Home Solutions will attend next month’s DISTREE EMEA to meet face-to-face with top distributors and retailers from across the region. Channel EMEA caught up with Matthias Dolejschi, business development manager at Nuki, to find out more about the company’s channel plans for 2018 and beyond.
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Aukey eyes EMEA channel expansion
When hundreds of top buyers from consumer tech distributors and retailers gather for DISTREE EMEA 2018 next month, fast-growing consumer tech vendor Aukey, which now has an annual turnover in the region of US$750m, is ready to showcase its portfolio and recruit new channel partners. David Wu, sales director at Aukey, said: “We want to meet and talk to more professional executives in distribution and retail areas and our goal is to look for more partners to expand our business and penetrate the market together with our partners.”
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Ten top tech products to look out for at DISTREE EMEA 2018
DISTREE Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) will gather together senior executives and buyers from the region’s leading distributors, retailers and e-tailers. During the event, which takes place from February 6-9th 2018 in Monaco, hundreds of consumer technology brands will showcase their latest products, meet current partners, look to secure orders and sign new channel partners.
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Online voting opens for ‘EMEA Channel Academy: 2018 Awards’
The 16th annual DISTREE Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) hosted buyer tech channel event, which takes place in Monaco from February 6-9th 2018, will host the ‘EMEA Channel Academy (ECA): 2018 Awards’. Celebrating their tenth anniversary in 2018, the ECA Awards continue to recognise excellence in the regional consumer technology distribution and retail channel. Voting is now open for vendors and channel partners to select the ‘Consumer Tech Distributor of the Year’ across 11 separate regions, plus the ‘Consumer Tech Retailer of the Year in eight regions.
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DISTREE EMEA launches annual regional Tech Channel Survey for distributors and retailers
DISTREE Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) has started collecting responses for its 2017 regional consumer tech channel survey. Reaching out to thousands of senior executives from consumer tech distributors, retailers and e-tailers across the region, the survey explores sales performance, business confidence, financial trends and attitudes towards product categories. Liam McSherry, Marketing Director for DISTREE Events, said: “The EMEA Consumer Tech Channel Survey forms part of a global network of research reports that provides deep insight on regional market trends."
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Noon signs partnership with Extra
Online marketplace and e-tailer Noon has signed a partnership agreement with United Electronics Company, the parent company of Saudi Arabian retailer Extra. Under the terms of the deal, Extra becomes Noon’s exclusive Saudi Arabian partner for a range of consumer electronics and home appliance items such as Samsung, LG, Sony, Braun, Kenwood and Moulinex, among others.
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