Gitex Shopper, the biggest sales extravaganza for the Middle East’s IT and consumer electronics industry, kicked off on Saturday and will run for the next eight days delivering record deals and bargain offers on the latest gadgets and cutting-edge products.

Gitex Shopper was officially opened by Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.

Tens of thousands of excited shoppers thronged the halls on the first day, taking advantage of the fantastic deals on over 30,000 different gadgets and consumer electronics from more than 120 participating exhibitors.

Deals range on almost everything from the latest TVs, smart phones, tablets, and digital cameras to household appliances, gadgets, games and entertainment accessories.

Day one saw visitors enjoying the fun festival atmosphere at the event, with music, street dancers, DJs and competitions worth a staggering Dh50 million ($13.6 million) to reward lucky shoppers.

Visitors to this year’s show will be delighted with the central location of the show, which enjoys a dedicated Metro station just steps away from the show and additional trains put on for the duration of the event, said the organisers.

“As one of the most anticipated consumer shows in a highly tech-savvy region, Gitex Shopper works with our exhibitors to deliver a show that offers unbeatable deals, the chance to see the latest products being launched into the market, and promises to be a great day out,” remarked Trixee Loh, the senior VP of Dubai World Trade Centre, the event organisers.

“This year we have had more 120 exhibitors eager to fill the extra space offered by our new location, to make GITEX Shopper a 35,000 sq m showcase of the latest IT and consumer electronics must-haves,” he noted.

"Ample parking, a smorgasbord of food and beverage outlets and a range of interactive and entertaining activities will add to the festival atmosphere at this year’s Gitex Shopper," Loh added.

Technology turns greener every year and this year’s show includes initiatives by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) to showcase its “Do Good to Planet Earth” campaign, encouraging visitors to actively seek out eco-friendly advances in all consumer electronic technologies.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the MD & CEO of Dewa said, "As the strategic partner for Gitex Shopper, we see our participation as the ideal platform to engage with our IT-passionate customers."

"With innovation at the forefront of our initiatives we hope to guide the public to improve their ways of energy consumption, not merely by reducing usage but also by using the right environmentally-efficient technologies. In this way we can drive greater individual and social contributions to the nation’s long term strategy for a sustainable future," he added.

From outdoor gaming zones hosted by celebrity DJs to street dance performances and hourly giveaways throughout the show, Gitex Shopper promises something for everyone, said the organisers.-TradeArabia News Service