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Imaging and printing vendor Canon met with VARs and integrators in Egypt to underline its commitment to the market. With Business Monitor International (BMI) predicting that Egyptian IT spend will grow from US$1.3 billion in 2010 to US$2.1 billion by 2014, Canon reckons that the SMB channel offers strong in-country growth potential.
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Carrefour adds clicks to bricks in UAE
Carrefour has signalled its intention to play a major role in the growing e-tailer channel in the UAE. The hypermarket, which is one of the largest physical retailers of IT and electronics products in the UAE, has now launched www.ic4uae.com, an online store stocking more than 3,000 non-food items including IT and electronics products.
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Summer slowdown hits Middle East retail channel
The Middle East Retail Academy (MERA) Monthly Monitor Report (MMR) for July 2010 has laid bare the impact of the summer slowdown on trade levels. The MMR canvasses the opinion of IT and consumer electronics retailers and vendors across the Middle East. For July 2010, the MMR Sales Index fell to 5.21 – its second lowest level since the launch of the MMR in June 2009. The retailer Confidence Index plunged to a new record low of 4.46.
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Jarir Bookstore posts second quarter figures
Saudi Arabian retail giant Jarir Bookstore posted sales of US$179.2m for the quarter ending June 2010 - up 17.3% year-on-year. Jarir’s net profits for the quarter climbed 3.2% from a year earlier to hit US$20.2m. Jarir’s first half sales for 2010 were up 18.8% year-on-year at US$391.3m with net profits for the six months ending June totaling US$51.8m.
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CGC reveals Nokia volumes in Qatar
Consolidated Gulf Company (CGC), Nokia distributor and retailer in Qatar, has revealed that it is selling approximately 100,000 devices from the mobile vendor each month. CGC disclosed the figure during its recent annual partner meeting held in Doha. CGC also announced that it would reward its top 30 best performing partners with a trip to Thailand.
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Thomas lands new gig at Toshiba
Binu Thomas has landed a new role at Toshiba’s computer systems division. Thomas has been appointed head of sales for the Middle East and Levant region. In his new role, Thomas is responsible for developing product strategies and planning for each market.
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The EMEA Channel Wrap – 30/7/10
With the EMEA channel gearing up for summer holidays, it’s time to take our latest tour of the top in-country news sites, to find out what’s making headlines across the region. If you’re already on holiday and reading this on the beach, we’re very jealous. We’re heading to Russia first this week to get to grips with some of the latest channel developments in this vast market.
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20:20 Mobile seals Starlink deal in Qatar
European mobile phone distributor 20:20 Mobile has struck a deal with Qatar-based Starlink. Under the terms of the agreement, 20:20 Mobile will provide services for Starlink’s new in-store mobile phone recycling service. The recycling scheme, which will be launched in Starlink’s Qatar stores, will offer customers the chance to trade in out-of-use handsets for a new device.
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Channel EMEA Editor Stuart Wilson focuses on e-tailers in the first part of a commentary series on the inaugural DISTREE Strategy Forum for senior executives working in the Russia & CIS IT channel.
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LG Electronics had opened its latest Lifestyle Gallery in Doha, Qatar, bringing its regional network of outlets to four. The outlets are dedicated to LG Electronics’ products including consumer electronics, mobiles and home appliances. LG uses the outlets to give consumers access to its products in a contemporary lounge-style environment.
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