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Thousands of bargain-hunters flocked to the kingdom’s 24th Autumn Fair over the weekend searching for deals and a global variety of knick knacks.
The annual consumer goods show, which attracts around 180,000 visitors and consumers on a yearly basis, is staged at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.
And, in case readers are worried that they have missed out, there’s still time to shop as the event runs until tomorrow.
The fair features more than 700 exhibitors from 20 countries showcasing a wide range of toys, textiles, cosmetics, interior décor and accessories, electrical devices, specialty foods and other fun novelties.
The nine-day shopping bonanza, which attracted 127,539 visitors last year, registered a 65,158 footfall this time round within four days of opening.
Mohammed Ebrahim, Arabian Exhibition Management’s project manager, said: “The success of the fair comes after many years of running it. The show is in its 24th edition now and I believe the name Autumn Fair has become a brand representing a shopping festival.
“Exhibitors from different countries bring their culture and products to the kingdom and display them all under one roof for shoppers to enjoy. That is another key to the fair’s success.”
This rings true for exhibitor Mahmut Ergun of Turkiye Accessories who joined the fair for the first time aiming to attract new clientele.
He said: “We have been living in Dubai for four years and during that time our friends have been telling us how good the exhibition is. After hearing so much about it, we figured we had to give it a try too!”
Mr Ergun’s stall was dressed up in gold-platted necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings featuring precious stones from Turkey. Ladies on the prowl for a new piece of ‘bling’ to show off could snatch up the glitzy gems starting from BD5.
Part-time carpet merchant of Eftekhari Carpets and full-time computer engineer Jalal Al Mousawi weaved another success story.
He said: “On the first day we sold 10 carpets and to be honest we didn’t expect to sell any on the first day. We have received a lot of orders too.
“I was impressed to see how many people came on the first day. I think it’s even better than last year’s fair and I have been exhibiting here for the past three years.”
His Persian rugs start from BD200 and Mr Al Mousawi also featured a pure silk carpet worth BD45,000 hanging in his stall for all to admire.
Aside from carpets and accessories, the fair was also filled with gadgets and doodads. Gechen Chin and his mum run a store in Sharjah’s China Mall and were selling mobile phone accessories, speaker boxes and other knick-knacks that were quickly snatched up by teens and techies.
Mr Chin said: “We got so many customers that I cannot even count them all. I have been coming here for seven years and I find Bahrain is always good for business.”
Abdullah Al Mamun, managing director of Reeha Trading Co, imports and exports a variety of bukhoors and scents and has been taking part in the exhibition for the past 12 years. The company carries a line of Spanish and French perfumes and bukhoors from the region and Cambodia.
He said: “We come here every year because we have branches all over the Middle East except here. I do get a lot of people visiting my stall and we have gained a respectable reputation.
“I get customers from all over the Gulf region. Our best selling product is Bukhoor Mouza named after the Crown Prince of Qatar. Some of our scents start from BD5. We even have a perfume from Cambodia that costs BD120.”
The exhibitors weren’t the only ones enjoying themselves as the fair has become a ritual for many families in the kingdom. Restaurant owner Nadeem Asghar Ali, 40, from Amwaj, said: “Coming to the fair has become a tradition in my family for the past three years.
“My wife Monica and I are renovating our restaurant and thought we could see what knick knacks are on offer. But, the best part of the exhibition is spending time with the family.”
The Al Awadi sisters from Manama, Noor, 15, and Shooq, 14, attended the fair with their mum looking for accessories. Noor said: “We come every year. They have really good deals on accessories and the quality is good.”
Shooq added: “I like the phone accessories mostly. It can get really crowded so we usually come early in the morning to avoid the rush.”
Other shoppers see the fair as an opportunity to stock up on goods they are unable to obtain on a regular basis.
Salwa Mohammed, a housewife from Manama, said: “I usually come to the fair for the variety of spices on offer. There are some areas that I don’t go to in Bahrain so I use the fair to buy these products.”
*The exhibition is open from 10am to 10pm. Entrance is 700 fils and children under five are admitted free. There is also an outdoor children’s play area and food court, a live band and costume characters for entertainment.
