DISTREE Middle East invites retailers, distributors and vendors to enter the 2017 Middle East Retail Academy (MERA) Awards.
The annual MERA Awards, taking place for the 10th consecutive year in 2017, celebrate excellence in the region’s consumer technology retail channel. The deadline to submit entries is on 29th April. The four categories are In-Store Experience of the Year, Customer Promotion of the Year, Product Launch of the Year and Marketing Initiative of the Year.
The MERA Awards is open to vendors, distributors, retailers and e-tailers operating in the Middle East. Companies can submit their entry packs online. All entries will be evaluated by a VIP Jury of independent channel experts during DISTREE Middle East 2017, with the winners announced at the event’s Gala Dinner on 9th May.
Liam McSherry, Marketing Director, DISTREE Events, said, “We actively encourage all retailers, e-tailers, distributors and vendors to submit entries for these awards. It is a fantastic opportunity for marketing and PR teams to showcase a company’s achievements during the last 12 months.”
“The quality of entries continues to rise year after year,” he added. “The Middle East consumer tech retail channel continues to innovate and find new ways to engage with and excite customers. We’re seeing exciting new product categories emerging and we’re also seeing greater deployment of omnichannel strategies in the region.”
Last year’s awards saw Sharaf DG collect the coveted In-Store Experience of the Year award for retail innovations rolled out at its Times Square outlet in Dubai. Electro received the Marketing Initiative of the Year accolade for the amount of coverage generated as a result of its new store opening in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The Customer Promotion of the Year award went to Acer for a product launch in association with Jumbo. The Product Launch of the Year award was a tie with CTRONIQ and Touchmate both recognised for successful new tablet launches in association with retailers Lulu and Carrefour respectively.
“This year will see us celebrate the 10th anniversary of the MERA Awards at DISTREE Middle East,” McSherry added. “They have become a benchmark for excellence in the Middle East retail channel. The consumer tech channel is packed with highly creative professionals who are always looking for new and innovative ways to generate demand. We can’t wait to start assessing this year’s initiative award entries from across the region.”
DISTREE Middle East 2017 is a trade-focused event that unites consumer technology brands with the regional go-to-market ecosystem. Participants can pre-schedule one-on-one meetings with other delegates attending the event, enabling them to target specific markets or channels for their product portfolio.
