(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Tthe demand for hardware and tools in the home segment is on a steady upward trend Why bring in a carpenter or handyman if you can just do it yourself (DIY), especially if you have the right tools for the jobs?
That sentiment is gaining in popularity across the UAE, and the demand for hardware and tools in the home segment is on a steady upward trend, industry professionals at Hardware + Tools Middle East 2017 said.
Speaking to Khaleej Times at the exhibition, Tamer Khalil, product and services manager for power tools, central motors and equipment at Bosch Power Tools, said the company had launched close to 30 products across the professional and home tools segments over the past six months.
"We have witnessed an increase in both segments across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. This is due to an increase in the population of both countries as well as several other factors. One thing that we have noticed is an increase in customers becoming more knowledgeable about DIY projects, and this has led to an increase in the home tools segment," Khalil explained.
One sector that has drawn a lot of attention in recent months is the green tools segment, he added, noting a significant increase in the demand for tools that are more energy-efficient. Imad Abu Hadwan, area sales manager at Hitachi Power Tools, also highlighted the trend towards green tools, saying that many companies were investing in innovation in that segment. Like Khalil, he disclosed that the DIY segment had proven to be a big success for the company in recent years.
"The construction boom in the country has spelled an increase in the sales of professional construction tools for us, but we have also noticed an increase in the users of tools for simple tasks at home," he said.
"A lot of people are confident that they can do simple tasks such as installing their curtains, or some shelves and racks in their homes by themselves. We are going to increasingly target both the professional and home tools segments in the coming years."
Dubai's hardware and tools trade was valued at Dh5.07 billion in 2016, with the US, China, Italy, Germany and India being the emirate's top five trading partner countries of construction-related equipment and machinery for the year.
According to figures released by Dubai Customs, Dubai imported Dh3.6 billion worth of hardware and tools last year, while exports and re-exports into neighbouring countries were valued at Dh1.467 billion.
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Rohma Sadaqat I am a reporter and sub-editor on the Business desk at Khaleej Times. I mainly cover and write articles on the UAE's retail, hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors.Originally from Lahore, I have been living in the UAE for more than 20 years. I graduated with a BA in Mass Communication, with a concentration in Journalism, and a double minor in History and International Studies from the American University of Sharjah.If you see me out and about on assignment in Dubai, feel free to stop me, say hello, and we can chat about the latest kitten videos on YouTube.
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