Nearly 300 exhibitors from around the world will show the latest technology and innovative products to visitors from over 80 countries at the upcoming SGI Dubai, a leading media event in the region, in Dubai, UAE.

The 23rd edition of the show is scheduled to take place from January 12 to 14at the Dubai World Trade Centre. SGI Dubai is an ideal converging point where visitors and exhibitors can reach out with architects, sign makers, print and production manufacturers, media agencies, real-estate developers, brand and image consultants among others.

Apart from signage, digital signage, wide format printing, digital printing, textile printing, screen printing, LED and retail the show will feature categories such as AI, software, metal cutting, labelling & branding, spare parts and paper technology.

As per a report, the GCC retail sector is expected to grow at CAGR 4 per cent from $253.2 billion in 2018 to $308 billion in 2023. According to industry expert International Expo Consults, the innovative signage and digital signage solutions at the retail locations will play a huge part in the growth of the sector.

International Expo Consults hosts SGI Dubai – the largest industry exhibition for the signage and graphic imaging industry in the Mena region.

“The UAE and Saudi are big markets for the GCC retail sector and in both the countries the growth is driven by the rise in population, spending capacity, rise in GDP per capita and a growing and evolving tourism sector,” said Sharif Rahman, CEO, International Expo Consults.

“Yes, there has been added pressure from the success and the growth of e-commerce, but all is not gloom and doom for the brick and mortar retailers. Those who would are ready to adopt innovative solutions such as segmented reality and other new age signage solutions will fare much better than before.”

Ecommerce sites such as Noon, Amazon (or Souq in some regions) or Namshi have all evolved in recent times including introducing heavy discount periods, improved product range, same-day or next-day deliveries.

This has encouraged various other retailers such as hypermarket giant Carrefour to introduce same-day delivery of items including perishables. The traditional retail is hugely reliant on entertainment access such as multiplexes, FECs and F&B options in the same retail space to drive footfall. This trend will only gather steam due to the indoor preference of the residents of the GCC due to its extreme weather conditions.

Digital signage avenues have witnessed a rapid growth surge in the region as the retail market has evolved drastically over the past few decades which has boosted the signage industry. With the onset of this new technology, the retail sector is poised to get a makeover with new interactive digital signages in the Mena region. According to sources, the digital signage market is worth $18.55 billion globally. – TradeArabia News Service