Rohit Khadtare, the Senior Manager for UAE Sales at Sony Middle East and Africa, speaks to Channel Post about his company’s plans for GITEX
Are you participating at GITEX Shopper or GITEX Technology Week this year?
This year, Sony is participating at GITEX Shopper through key retailers such as Jumbo Electronics, Jacky’s Electronics, E-max Electronics and Sharaf DG.
What are your plans for GITEX Shopper this year?
Our primary product focus is on our 4K HDR Bravia models and we will be showcasing our entire line-up starting from 43-inch up to 75-inch models. Gitex Shopper visitors should also look out for attractive bundles and offers for our premium 4K HDR models – the Sony X85D and X93D Bravia range. We are also showcasing the newly launched X70D and X80D, Sony’s 4K HDR smaller screen sizes.
Along with the television segment, customers can look out for other hero products ranging from our Alpha interchangeable lens cameras; the portable speakers such as the SRS-HG1; and the MDR-100ABN High res audio headphones. All these products will be offered at great bundles and prices through all key retailers at the show.
What technology and market trends have you seen this year on the Middle East market?
This year, we’ve seen that there has been a high demand for HDR compatible large screens TVs and retailers are experiencing a large uptake in the TV sales. At Sony, the most important customer trends we have noted are how consumers select TV screens based on picture quality, screen size, features and designs. Globally, the trend is towards multi-platform content consumption along with shared experiences as a result of the growth of Netflix and other video streaming platforms online.
This has brought the viewing pleasure at the confines of our homes with people opting for larger TV screens. In addition, the TV industry landscape is also gearing towards 4K HDR as the standard of picture quality in TVs particularly with the increase of available 4K contents such as TV series and movies being offered by channel and telecom operators in the region including Etisalat and du locally.
In the digital camera segment, we’ve noticed a decline in consumer demand for the entry level models but the demand for mid-tier and high-end cameras particularly the compact premium segment and professional full frame cameras continues to grow. This growth is brought by convenience of use, compact size and performance efficiency of the interchangeable lenses in these camera ranges.
Will you be launching any new products or solutions at GITEX this year?
Our newly launched range of 4K HDR televisions will be available at Gitex Shopper at attractive prices – X85D, X93D – the premium 4K HDR segment. We are also showcasing 4K HDR in smaller screen sizes with new models X70D and X80D.
What sort of channel engagements have you planned for GITEX?
Sony is actively participating through key retailer promotions at Gitex Shopper. The Middle East and Africa market has grown tremendously in the past few years and the consumer electronics landscape is interesting and diverse across the region.
As the biggest show of its kind in the region, we see GITEX Shopper as a tremendous opportunity to play a leading role in the growth of the consumer electronics industry here. Given the unique opportunities the Middle East offers, Sony is committed to consistently offer innovative products that cater to the specific needs of the regional consumers.
