DUBAI. Middle East Exclusive, the regional travel retail and luxury goods event, concluded today in Dubai with the organisers saying the event would expand in the years ahead.
“We have some well established companies and brands appearing here but we also have quite a few new entrants to the market,” said Justin Boutros, CEO of event organiser Channels Exhibitions. “These companies are typically very dynamic and they are offering very high quality products, well-packaged and with strong consumer appeal. They’ve been doing business at the show with airlines, duty free operators and major purchasers from around the world – so what you see here today you’ll find in travel outlets tomorrow.”
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Brisk business was reported between suppliers and international travel buyers at Middle East Exclusive 2011 in Dubai. Pictured here are Mohammed Haneef and Mohammed Waseem of Emirates Gourmet Trading |
Channels said that more than 200 luxury brands were represented at this year’s event, which ran from 20 to 22 February under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free.
Among the leading duty free executives to attend the show were Anthony Chalhoub, President of the Middle East Duty Free Association and CEO of Chalhoub Group; Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free; and George Horan, Deputy Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free. Duty free retailers and airline representatives attended from the GCC region and the wider Middle East, and also from France, the UK, Germany, Australia and Hong Kong, said the organisers.
The show, now in its eighth year, was opened by H.E. Khalid Bin Sulayem, Director General of Dubai Tourism, Commerce and Marketing, on Sunday. The range of travel retail and high-end products being traded at the show included electronic goods, perfumes, jewellery, food & beverage, tobacco, gifts and toys.
From Germany, perfumes specialist Guido Schmitt said his company Ars Parfum is already making a move into the region, with a launch into major retail outlets in March.
He said: “We have some strong brands and I’ve spoken to some major travel retail operators at this event so I feel very positive about the growing markets for us in international duty free. The promotions at MEE have been really good, in fact they couldn’t have been better.”
Mohammed Haneef, Managing Director of Emirates Gourmet Trading, whose company distributes fine food and delicatessen ranges from the US and Europe, said: “The concept of Middle East Exclusive is excellent for us because we’re selling high value products and not aiming for the cut price market. This is our first time here and it’s different to general retail events so we’re very pleased. We’re now talking to buyers such as airlines catering, five star hotels and gourmet retail stores.”
Local fresh food producer Fresh Selection, which already supplies top local customers such as Emirates Towers, Burj Al Arab and Atlantis, was at the show exploring opportunities in wider international markets – with what it said were encouraging results.
“The great thing is that we’ve now seen buyers from several duty free operators and they loved our products and really liked our packaging,” explained Juliet Cardillo. “This is a big opportunity for us.”
Toys and gifts are other important categories for travel retail and exhibitors at MEE reported that the sector did well.
“This is a three day event and it’s been very positive for us – we met our business objectives on the first day,” said Sundeep Singh of JH Ruyan, who was at the Dubai World Trade Centre promoting a range of soft toys and novelties for younger children. “We’ve seen some important buyers here and feel very optimistic about the business prospects for the year ahead.”
“This event has been a great opportunity for us to meet buyers who are serious about business and interested in what we have to sell,” added Ehab Debdeb, Director of Operations in the region for Inostream, the California-based toy distributor.
The show also attracted widespread TV and media interest, because the strength of the travel and tourism industries in the region, said Channels. Reports on a number of companies have been featuring on regional channels, including items about Titan Watches, part of the Tata Group of India, which produces the world’s slimmest watch.
“We’ve had some great publicity here, and a lot of interest,” said Sheriyar Unwalla of the company. “Our focus is now on building the brand through retail presence in duty free outlets, malls and other modern retail formats.”
Traditional duty free categories such as confectionery, alcoholic drinks and tobacco products were also represented at MEE 2011.
One of the largest stands was taken by Al Tounbak, which is a market leader in cigarettes, distributing major brands across the Middle East and North Africa.
“It’s important for us to be at this event to meet our customers,” said CEO Jad Kattouf.
