JEDDAH, 24 March 2003 — The thirst for news translates into an increased demand for digital satellite dishes. Many stores sold out their stock of high-tech sets in the first days of the Iraq war.
“We are selling more than 10 satellite dishes a day,” Yahya Al-Masry of Al-Mustaqbal shop on Palestine Street said. “Our sales slowly increased prior to the war. When the strike on Iraq began, many customers turned to us to either fix their satellite dishes or to install new digital satellite dishes to watch coverage of the war.”
Al-Masry said that he increased the number of technicians in order to meet demand.
Salesman Nasir Abdul Haq said sales of satellite dishes had dramatically increased in the last few days.
“Our sales have gone up 85 percent and most shops are doing a brisk business, selling more units than at any other time,” he said.
Several retailers report an increase in sales of satellite dishes between 30 and 50 percent.
Retailer Hassan Al-Said told Arab News his sales had risen by 85 percent.
“As a result of the wide coverage this war will get from various international broadcast networks, people are really interested to see the different reactions and views on the networks. Therefore, more customers are replacing their old dishes and are asking for the advanced international digital dishes to watch as many channels as they can,” he said.
Ali Al-Matari was looking for a new satellite dish for his house. “I came here to buy a new dish in order to watch the coverage of the war. Many of my friends have replaced their old satellite dishes, so I am here to get a new one for myself,” he said.
“But because of the great demand, retailers have raised their prices. I hope I can get a good offer,” he added.
Nasir Al-Ghamdi, a retailer, said that he expected an increase in demand for new high-tech dishes.
“Purchases of expanded basic, digital cable and satellite dishes are going to increase as the war goes on,” he said.
