GITEX shopper has trounced expectations and defied global financial concerns to pull in huge business. Profits are up as retailers enjoy impressive footfalls compared to previous years.

"There has been a 35% jump in sales at the event compared to last year," proclaims Ashish Panjabi, chief operating officer at power retailer, Jacky's Middle East.

"Tickets sales, I have been told, are up on last year and so is the quality of the customers who are spending even more money. I'm not sure the financial crisis has had a great impact because customers just seem to be spending more and more.

Panjabi says that as well as shifting more products, retailers have been able to ensure average selling prices thanks in part to the work of vendor partners and Shopper organisers, who have cracked down on "rogue traders" this year.