HOME 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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Ingram Micro appointed as Forcepoint VAD in MEA
Ingram Micro has signed a Middle East & Africa (MEA) distribution deal with cybersecurity outfit Forcepoint. Under the terms of the deal, Ingram Micro is authorised to distribute the complete Forcepoint offering in 23 countries across the MEA region including Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Cameroon, Egypt, Gabon, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Malta, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Tunisia, the UAE and Yemen.
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XTOUCH launches e-commerce platform
Dubai-based consumer electronics brand XTOUCH has launched its own e-commerce website. The new site enables customers to purchase XTOUCH products online with free shipping and repair services. Targeted customers can also take advantage of an instalment payment scheme offered directly by XTOUCH with payments collected by the company’s sales and service representatives. XTOUCH has been operational for more than five years in the Middle East and has sold over 3 million units.
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SonicWall signs LinkQuest in Pakistan
Security solutions provider SonicWall has re-entered the Pakistan market through a tie-up with in-country distributor LinkQuest. As an authorised distributor LinkQuest will offer SonicWall’s security products and solutions to its channel partners and customers. Shahnawaz Sheikh, sales and channel director for SonicWall META & CEE, said: "Pakistan has always been a key market for us, but unfortunately during our acquisition period with Dell, we had to realign certain territories and had to let Pakistan go to APAC region. Now, as we emerge out of Dell merger, we took a conscious decision to bring Pakistan back to Middle East region and support it from Dubai.”
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Ingram Micro launches IoT unit in META region
Distributor Ingram Micro has launched an IoT (Internet of Things) business unit in the Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META) region. Over the last 24 months, Ingram Micro has launched several solutions-based business units including ones for cloud technology, cybersecurity and physical security. These centres of excellence have positioned the company to become a leader in these high growth segments, supporting the channel in the region and beyond.
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Middle East tech retail channel feels VAT impact
The Middle East consumer tech retail channel has experienced a rollercoaster during the last few months, mainly due to the introduction of 5% VAT in the UAE and Saudi Arabia on the 1st January 2018. Sales in December 2017 were buoyant with many consumers choosing to purchase big-ticket items prior to the implementation. This sales boom then gave way to a sharp sales drop-off in January 2018, according to market reports and analyst insights.
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Ingram Micro signs META cloud deal with Palo Alto
Distribution giant Ingram Micro has announced a Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META) region cloud services aggregation agreement with Palo Alto Networks, the next-generation security company. This builds upon the existing Ingram Micro and Palo Alto Networks relationship already established in a number of countries in the Americas and Asia Pacific.
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Redington unveils new brand identity
Distributor Redington has whipped the covers off its new global brand identity including a new logo and tagline. The distributor has significant presence in India, South Asia, Middle East, Turkey and Africa with sales running at approximately US$6 billion per annum. Established in Chennai in 1993, Redington’s new tagline is ‘Seamless Partnerships’. With a strong network of 37,500 partners, Redington currently distributes more than 200 brands across 24 markets.
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Akyumen signs Sands in Middle East
Mobile device brand Akyumen has signed Sands Distribution as its GCC distribution partner. The deal covers Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. This is the beginning of a strategic long-term vision for both the companies where Sands Distribution will distribute the Akyumen devices to retail, carrier, and traditional channel across its territory. The companies will work hand in hand to provide the best possible sales, marketing, and customer care experience to the channel as well as to the customers.
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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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