ABU DHABI, 19 March 2015: DISTREE Middle East 2015 will unite senior executives from the region’s technology and consumer electronics (CE) retail channel for three days of pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings and conference sessions in Abu Dhabi from 12-14th May. Smart technologies and new retail business models will form the heart of the content at this year’s event.
Farouk Hemraj, Director and Co-Founder at DISTREE Events, said: “DISTREE Middle East 2015 is a highly focused event. We are set to welcome a record number of senior buyers and executives from the region’s most influential retailers and e-tailers this May.”
“The event is a powerful opportunity for vendors and distributors to showcase their product portfolio, reinvigorate retail relationships, identify new partners and learn more about how their brands are actually perceived in the market,” he added.
This year’s conference programme will include two major tracks, bringing retailers and e-tailers fully up to speed on the latest product and business trends impacting the Middle East retail channel
- SMART TECHNOLOGIES – A product-focused content track focused on the latest developments driving smart homes, wearables, connected devices and the deployment of consumer Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. Delegates will learn more about the business ecosystems and standards underpinning new smart technologies. Practical sessions will focus on exploring how the retail channel can make the most of these exciting new growth opportunities.
- CONNECTED COMMERCE – A business-focused content track examining how channel models are changing fast in the Middle East. The digitalisation of the retail experience is creating a need for rapid business development and the deployment of effective omni-channel strategies. DISTREE Middle East will feature an array of expert speakers and small group sessions to explore the opportunities and threats facing the region’s retail channel.
“The pace of change is accelerating in the Middle East retail channel,” added Hemraj. “It is survival of the fittest and DISTREE Middle East aims to equip vendors, distributors, retailers and e-tailers with the knowledge, ideas and contacts that allow them to keep their businesses ahead of the curve.”
DISTREE Middle East will also include a GfK keynote speech providing detailed analysis of market growth and prospects for 2015. Delegates will have the chance to learn what categories and form factors are opening new opportunities for the Middle East retail channel according to GfK – the region’s leading retail trackers.
“In addition to GfK, we are also bringing in expert speakers from local companies such as Navo, as well as international speakers to provide a global perspective on the latest market trends,” added Hemraj. “As an independent event, we give delegates access to multiple perspectives from different consultancies and research houses, allowing them to make more informed business decisions.”
DISTREE Middle East will also feature a new exclusive retail panel session with CEOs from the region’s most influential companies taking to the main stage. The RETAIL VOICES panel session will cover a series of topical issues and will not shy away from controversy, providing insight into how channel structures and retail models will evolve in 2015 and beyond.
“DISTREE Middle East is an exclusive ‘trade only’ business-focused event,” said Hemraj. “By bringing together all of the major stakeholders in one place at one time – under the auspices of a neutral event – we can tackle the tough issues together as an industry.”
“The RETAIL VOICES panel will discuss what the future is for specialist retailers as more and more technology products are sold through other channels – be it DIY, sports, fashion or luxury goods,” he added. “They can also explore why the Middle East retail channel is unable to move away from a focus on special sales events that destroy margins, reduce ASPs and create unhealthy business models based on spiky sales patterns.”
Quantum is a Platinum Sponsor of DISTREE Middle East 2015, while CTRONIQ and Mercantile are the current Silver Sponsors of this year’s event. DISTREE Middle East 2015 takes place in the exclusive surroundings of the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi. Vendors, distributors, retailers, e-tailers and press wishing to attend, can register their interest HERE
