KARACHI, Sept 25: The passion for shopping is not new to our society. It was demonstrated recently at Karachi Electronics and Electrical Fair (KEEF) held in Expo Centre on September 14-16 where companies made millions in just three days.

People purchased small appliances and electronics items in larger numbers. Numerous brands of mobile phones were available for on spot sale. In big items consumers were given 15-30 days’ time for the delivery after payment of advance.

Some officials of these companies said that they had made huge profits in just three days while some others said that the KEEF provided an opportunity of creating awareness among the general masses about many items which were not available in the local markets.

However, there are reports that many customers have faced problems when they found their purchased products defected later.

Ashfaq Akbar, Deputy General Manager United Refrigerator Industries Limited, the makers of Dawlance brand, told Dawn that the company had sold products worth Rs3m in just three days, which was same turnover achieved in the Lifestyle Exhibition.

The share of small appliances was ranging between 25-35 per cent out of total sales while mobile phones’ share was 20-25 per cent as these items were available on the spot, he said.

However, he said that his company had not received any complaints from the consumers about the poor quality of goods or defected items which they had bought or booked at the company’s stall.

Dawlance enjoys 70 per cent market share in refrigerators out of its total market of 650,000-675,000 units per annum.

Pakistan Electronic Manufacturers Association (PEMA) Chairman Sarfarazuddin told Dawn that sales of goods at the KEEF were not abnormal.

He said the PEMA had not participated in the event but its members had displayed their products on individual basis. “The main aim of the KEEF was to create awareness of various products rather than achieving sales targets,” he said, adding that small appliances had been sold in larger numbers but the sales of big articles had been average.

Karachi Electronic Dealers Association (KEDA) General Secretary Faisal Raza Abidi said the sales of electronics, domestic appliances and mobile phones in the three-day KEEF were ranged between Rs700-800 million.

The share of electronics and domestic appliances in total sales was 70 per cent and of mobile phones was 30pc, he informed.

He ruled out the possibility that manufacturers and dealers had sold out defected items in the exhibition. “Our association has not received a single complaint from the consumers in this regard,” he said, adding that only one complaint was received for late delivery.

He said that his association would handle the problems in case consumers lodge complaints about receiving defected items and delay in delivery of goods. Consumers are in the process of receiving the goods booked at the exhibition.

According to Economic Survey 2005-2006, the home appliances industry was expected to double its capacity of producing TV, fridge and deep freezers by 2009 on rapidly growing demand. Production of TV, fridge and deep freezers have doubled in the last three years.