Shoppiesta: 5 days of Family Extravaganza at Meydan

• First-ever Annual Consumer Lifestyle Fair in the Region will be Held during Eid al-Fitr Holidays this Year

Citron, a Dubai-based Marketing & Communication Company today announced Shoppiesta, the first-ever consumer lifestyle fair in the region. The event plan combines a wide array of exhibitor profiles along with a host of attractions. It is touted to be the year’s most awaited event and set to take place at Meydan, one of the most happening destination venues in Dubai. Shoppiesta will be held during Eid al-Fitr in September to attract families staying in and visiting the UAE during the festive season.

Mr Radhesh Menon, Director, Shoppiesta, said: “The UAE has proven that it continues to be a vibrant retail and tourist destination. With annual growth of close to 4% predicted for the year 2011, this event will play a key role in boosting the positive economic climate. We are very excited to launch Shoppiesta as this is a unique concept for the UAE and the wider region. This fun-filled event will not only offer great bargains, but also competitions, talent shows, international cuisines, adventure sports, and fun-filled activities that suit every member of the family.”

Shoppiesta will feature almost every consumer-related product category sourced from different parts of the world and ensure a perfect platform for manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers and service providers to market consumer lifestyle products to the large tourist, local and expat population in Dubai. Some of the key categories include consumer electronics, home appliances, fashion, sports & fitness, home & garden, food & beverage, green living, automobiles, health & self-care, financial services etc.

“Aside from the Emiratis and expats, our target audience also includes a large number of tourists from the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent, as Dubai is a destination of choice for families during the Eid holidays,” added Mr Menon.

Apart from sales revenues, the event offers the perfect venue for exhibitors to showcase new products and to understand customers’ expectations through interaction with target audience. Additionally, exhibitors can offer product demos, promote brands and offer samples to an expected crowd of over 1 million.

According to the Q1-11 BMI UAE Retail report, the country’s retail sales will grow from an estimated US$21.56bn in 2011 to US$28.16bn in 2015. Retailers and brands in the UAE are keen on building upon the strong underlying economic growth and Shoppiesta will provide an annual opportunity for reaching out to more consumers.

Shoppiesta, for visitors, will also be an opportunity to participate in Citron’s attempt to be part of the Guinness Book of World Records. There is a planned attempt to create the world’s largest globe made out of a collage of images of human faces, sourced from the photographs of the visitors, which will be taken at the venue.

Aside from fabulous shopping discounts, a well-planned entertainment repertoire will run during each of the five days, including a special inaugural show. Visitors can look forward to adventure sports that will be experienced for the first time in Dubai, such as Free Fall Tower, Zorb and Sumo Wrestling, to name a few. Plus, there will be 32 food outlets featuring international cuisines to suit the palate of every nationality. For kids, a special area will be set up offering attractions and rides for every age group.

This package of attractive offerings and bargains will be offered at a nominal entry fee of AED 5, which will also give visitors an entry into a raffle draw to win grand prizes.