HOME TechAccess completes Extreme training for partners
TechAccess, a VAD operating in the Middle East, North Africa, Levant, Pakistan and Afghanistan has successfully concluded a sales certification programme for partners of Extreme Networks in two separate sessions held in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The certification programme focused on Extreme Networks’ value proposition, solution portfolio and customer business benefits.
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Sunny Leone confirmed as XTOUCH brand ambassador
Consumer technology brand XTOUCH has signed Bollywood actress Sunny Leone as its brand ambassador. Leone currently has more than 1.9 million followers on Twitter. The Bollywood superstar will feature in a new integrated marketing campaign for XTOUCH, which will run simultaneously on print, electronic, online and social media channels as well as in-store promotions for the next year.
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Extra sales reach US$1 billion in 2016
Saudi retail giant Extra’s sales for full year 2016 were flat at US$1 billion. The company’s operating income fell 57% year-on-year to US$6.29m, with after-tax profits dropping to just US$560,000 compared to US$13.1m in 2015. Extra’s financial report showed that selling and marketing expenses were US$9.1m higher in 2016 compared to 2015, hitting US$120.9m.
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Souq.com opens service centre in Dubai
Middle East e-tailer and online marketplace Souq.com has whipped the covers off its first customer experience centre, located on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. The move to open a physical space highlights the complexities of new omnichannel supply models embracing both offline and online. Souq.com claims that the new facility will make life more convenient for customers as well as sellers across the UAE.
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Al-Futtaim refreshes Aftron brand
UAE-based Al-Futtaim’s consumer electronics brand Aftron has been relaunched after a complete rebrand and supply chain restructure. The company hopes it can double Aftron sales across several categories during the next 12 months. Aftron, which has been in the UAE market for more than 23 years, now has more than 150 SKUs spanning air-conditioning, white goods and other household electronics, along with a completely new look.
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Jarir Bookstore opens new store in Medina
Saudi Arabian tech retail giant Jarir Bookstore recently opened a new showroom in Medina, taking its store network inside the Kingdom to 39. Jarir’s total store network now numbers 47, including its outlets outside of Saudi Arabia. The new Medina showroom on King Abdullah Road spans more than 4000 square metres. Jarir Bookstore invested more than US$16m in its latest outlet. More than 60% of the staff employed at the new store are Saudi Arabian.
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Mobile growth continues in MEA markets
Research company Counterpoint reckons that mobile handset shipments in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region were up 16% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2016. Smartphones represented 80% of the handset shipments in the region. The MEA region accounted for 14% of total global shipments in the fourth quarter of 2016. In comparison, China and India combined accounted for 37% of global handset shipments, according to Counterpoint.
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XTOUCH recognises Redington’s role
Consumer electronics brand XTOUCH has named Middle East and Africa distribution giant Redington as its best strategic partner of the year for 2016. XTOUCH recognised Redington for its outstanding contribution it has made towards the growth of XTOUCH brand in the region. Since 2013, the two companies have been working closely to build XTOUCH’s brand in the smartphone market and increase market share.
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Mitsumi adds HP supplies rights in Middle East
Mitsumi Distribution, a major IT, consumer electronics and telecoms distributor in the Middle East and Africa, has been appointed by HP Middle East as an authorised HP supplies distributor for the Middle East region. HP and Mitsumi already have a well-established alliance of 6 years. This agreement further extends Mitsumi’s East African distribution rights to also include the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and Yemen.
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DISTREE Middle East moves to Dubai for 2017 event
DISTREE Middle East 2017 will take place on the 8-10th May at the Meydan Hotel in Dubai, UAE. The three-day channel event unites consumer technology brands and distributors with senior executives and buyers from the region’s leading retailers and e-tailers. Exhibitors pre-schedule one-on-one meetings with retailers and e-tailers attending the event, enabling them to target specific markets or channels for their product portfolio.
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