Regional retailers are expecting bumper sales during this Ramadan season thanks to increasing consumer confidence, surging tourism, population growth and government stimulus, and are looking forward to this year's Ramadan & Eid Fair that opened at Expo Centre Sharjah on Thursday and will run until August 19.

Retailers also believe that by participating in the show they can take full advantage of a growing economy, high consumption rates, and a large, urban population. According to recent research, the average household spending power in the UAE, which stood at $ 14,400 per annum last year, has picked up in recent months and is forecast to grow by eight per cent in 2012.

Household spending is supported by recent wage hikes in several GCC states, which have seen some public sector employees’ salaries double. Meanwhile, the total GCC population gained nearly $ 17 million in 10 years to reach $ 46.9 million at the end of 2011, with the UAE figure standing at $ 8.5 million.

Tourist arrivals are also forecast to grow at nine per cent in 2012, beyond the 8.2 million tourists that arrived in the UAE last year.

'The 26th edition of the Ramadan & Eid Fair is positioned as a comprehensive shopping and entertainment destination, and will look to leverage on a series of positive fundamentals, right from rising population and tourist arrivals to growing economy and consumer confidence,' said Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, director-general of Expo Centre Sharjah.

The fair will offer wide variety of consumer goods and products from China, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Syria, Turkey and the UAE. And for the first time, the United Nations' World Food Program,e will have a stand at the show, which will see the launch of a Value Card that offers benefits and privileges for shoppers.

Apart from deals on household products, visitors will have opportunities to win prizes.

'If the visitor turnout of the past show is anything to go by, the 26th edition of the show is set to be a phenomenal success,” said Al Midfa said. Last year’s edition, attracted 139,246 visitors, as against 97,112 in 2010, registering a 43.38 per cent increase. The show had a modest start with a 13.74 per cent rise in visitor numbers on the opening day, but saw a huge jump of 89.78 per cent the next day and from then on it had an impressive run. On August 31, the show registered a 123.6 per cent rise in visitors.