X-cite by Alghanim Electronics won the award for the Best In-Store Experience at the Middle East Retail Academy (MERA) awards held at Distree 2012 in UAE.  Award submissions were received from retailers across the middle east. The shortlisted finalists were CompuMe for its concession stands  in Virgin outlets in Dubai;  Emax for an in-store display system it has deployed called 'Positive Disturbance'; iMachines in Bahrain for its new Apple-focused store; Jacky's for its Dubai Mall outlet and X-cite  for its all new expanded store at Avenues. The In-Store Experience Award was decided by a VIP jury based on the submission submitted by the respective retailers.

The Best In-Store Experience award evaluates the customer experience in a store and is evaluated on a variety of parameters such as the store layouts, the services available in the store, the fit and finish, the application of brand colors, and most importantly assesses the efforts made by the retailer to provide the customer with a superlative in store experience.

Farouk Hemraj, CEO at DISTREE Events, organisers of the ‘MERA: 2012 Awards’, said “Shopping is still all about the experience in the Middle East and retailers in the ICT and CE market are coming up with innovative methods to attract customers to their outlets .From a store-in-store concept through to an interactive demonstration zone, a unique POS display, superior service or an innovative retail layout, we want to find out who is leading the way in terms of the development of the In-Store Experience in the Middle East, The Middle East ICT and CE channel continues to develop and mature at a rapid pace and the retailers picked out at the MERA: 2012 Awards are all playing a key role in driving this development across the region.”

As the largest consumer electronics and home appliances retailer in the middle east , X-cite has been the pioneer in deploying evolved shop floor tactics much ahead of time.  X-cite moved from the conventional passive display of products in locked cases to an environment where the customers can experience and engage with products  to the latest concept where X-cite presents entire ecosystems of products  that tie in to the interactivity of products. This shift in experiential retailing is also presented in conceptual display in form of innovative 3D studios, home cinema rooms, sound rooms for audiophile, home automation zones - all initiatives that provide the customers an opportunity to keep pace with technology.

Samer Sayegh, Vice President – Alghanim Electronics  said “The Best In-Store Experience Award for the new and expanded X-cite store at the Avenues Mall recognizes our efforts to enhance the shopping environment and bring to market the most advanced electronics showroom in the region.”

In addition to the many new zones, X-cite offers a range of services in its stores, some of the value added services provided in its retail environment include- Easy Credit Service (for product financing), Al Esraa – the Islamic financing option, A tech force support counter for technology related configuration and installation support and dedicated customization counter where customers can

get their personal digital entertainment devices laser engraved or “instant skinned” with pictures of your friends and family etc. With 17 outlets and an online e-commerce portal ( www.xcite.com) X-cite is the destination for consumer electronics , home appliances and technology products.

About X-cite by Alghanim Electronics

X-cite is the largest consumer electronics retailer in Kuwait and the Middle East. Headquartered in Kuwait, the award winning retailer delivers a modern, dynamic and convenient shopping experience with the primary objective of delighting its customers. With touch and feel displays, cash and carry shopping, a highly trained multilingual sales staff and the latest gadgets and gizmos, shopping at X-cite is an unforgettable experience. Operating a network of 17 stores in addition to the regions premier e-commerce electronics website, X-cite’s customers are offered an unparalleled shopping experience by providing access to amazing range of international brands under one roof. The X-cite experience is further enhanced by providing customers with Easy Credit, 24-hour shopping in select outlets and extended warranty programs with 24-hour free delivery and installation services. X-cite’s shopping experience is also available online at www.xcite.com  in both English and Arabic where customers can browse and shop for the latest in technology products.

Media Contact:

Aniltom P Thomas

Brand Marketing Manager

Alghanim Electronics

Tel: +965 1881111 ext 3604

aniltom@alghanim.com

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