Blue Ocean Global Group’s distribution in the UK jumps along with a 50% jump in online business activities during Covid-19 pandemic

Dubai, UAE: Blue Ocean Global Group, a Dubai-based diversified business conglomerate that represents some of the world’s best-performing telecom, electronics and small domestic appliances as master distributors, announces a growth in its online distribution business in the United Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Consumer electronics sale is expected to cross US$3 billion (Dh11 billion) in the UAE in 2020, according to Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. According to the analysis based on latest UAE retail sales data from Euromonitor, the portable consumer electronics sub-category is expected to keep its lead with a 2020 sales forecast of $1.27 billion.

“The computers and peripherals sub-category is forecast to retain its size at $937 million (Dh3.43 billion), whereas in-home consumer electronics are expected to gain some traction to reach $900 million (Dh3.3 billion),” Dubai Chamber said in a report.

Blue Ocean Global (BOG) Group, which has export, wholesale and distribution activities in 40 countries, last year set up operations in the United Kingdom where it has started distributing its own products through www.amazon.uk since the second quarter of this year.

The company has also witnessed a 50 percent jump in online distribution business that offsets a decline in the physical distribution segment.

Shahzad Ahmed, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Ocean Group, said, “Our distribution of household appliances, telecom, electronic and electrical products and accessories, has grown over the last few months despite the Covid-19 pandemic. The growth in online distribution has jumped quite a lot that has offset the decline in physical distribution business.

“Overall, the business is growing, despite the crisis. This is partly due to the efficient handling of the Covid-19 crisis, especially the way the UAE has combatted the virus through lockdown and disinfection drive in April and May this year.”

Blue Ocean Global recently acquired three international brands to its growing portfolio of brands in distribution. These are Fanvil, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone brand, Honeywell Evaporative Air Cooler and Aeris Air Purifiers. These products join a number of popular brands in the company’s growing distribution portfolio.

Among the newly-acquired products, Swiss brand Aeris delivered 93.99 percent success in removing air pollutants in a recent test following the Covid-19 pandemic. People were reporting that their respiratory problems were finally being addressed, and others reported feeling more energized than they had in years.

“The introduction of the three new global brands is going to strengthen our position as a key distributor of global brands in the region. We are introducing Honeywell Air Coolers and Aeris Air Purifiers to this market at a time when the world is reeling from the Covid-19 virus pandemic that focuses on the air quality and calls for cleaner in-house air circulation for healthy life,” Shahzad Ahmed said.

“These products fulfil certain gaps and needs in our day-to-day life and due to these important factors they are spreading their market share globally like anything!”

Fanvil produces devices for small and medium sized businesses, as well as large mission-critical enterprise environments. It is set to become a leading global IP voice and video terminal manufacturer, by providing cost efficient and innovative IP voice and video products. Fanvil VoIP devices encompass quality, style and value for money.

An established VoIP desktop phone developer and manufacturer, Fanvil has grown into one of the largest and most popular VoIP phones around the world after recognizing the global demand for VoIP based telecommunication solutions.

The global mobile VoIP market size was estimated at US$57.5 billion (Dh211 billion) in 2019 and is expected to reach US$69.3 billion (Dh254.33 billion) in 2020, according to a report.

Among the household brands, Black & Decker is a very well-known brand distributed by the Blue Ocean Global Group.

Parmesh Venkateshwaran, Commercial Director for the Middle East at Black & Decker, says, “Blue Ocean Global Group’s growing network is helping us increase our market share in all the major appliances segments and despite the Covid-19 crisis, the business is continuously growing to our satisfaction.

“As we move forward, we are strengthening our partnership with the Blue Ocean Global Group to make our products and services available at the fingertips of the consumers.”

Among new products, Honeywell Evaporative Air Coolers are an environmentally friendly and cost-friendly cooling option for home or office. Much like a breeze flowing across a lake or the refreshing cool air one feels near a waterfall, air coolers produce a comfortable, cool breeze with the natural process of water evaporation.

Mushtaq Ahmed, Business Head of Emax for UAE and Oman, says, “Consumer behavior is fast shifting towards the digital space with the Covid-19 pandemic and we have seen a solid growth in online sale, well supported by our trusted partner Blue Ocean Global Group. Fortunately, it is one of the few distributors to have strengthened its online distribution channel.

“Despite the current crisis, we are able to continue to withstand the situation with our distribution partners. The current crisis is pushing the consumers and the retailers to shift to the digital space fast and, as an early mover into online sales, we are benefiting from the opportunities.”

The global air purifier market size is growing at 10.8 percent and expected to reach US$18.21 billion (Dh66.83 billion) by 2027, according to a new report published by Grand View Research. Factors, such as the rising air pollution along with awareness pertaining to the benefits associated with air purifier are expected to fuel the growth.

Rising concern for airborne diseases is driving the air purifiers market, according to market research reports. An increase in health issues such as asthma, allergies and other breathing disorders due to airborne diseases encourages the consumers to invest in air purifiers at commercial and residential locations.

For instance, in 2018, as per the estimates of the World Health Organisation (WHO), 90 percent of people across the globe breathe air containing high levels of pollutants. According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2018, 19.2 million adults in the USA aged 18 and above had asthma.

Swiss brand Aeris launched their first purifier in China in 2017. It instantly became a hit with success. All the products are currently in high demand due to Covid-19 crisis and the demand is expected to grow further.

“Aeris Air Purifiers brings a very significant product line that is in serious need now, especially at a time when the spread of virus and air-borne diseases are causing lives across the world,” Mr Pierre, CEO of Aeris Air Purifiers, says.

“Air quality at home and office has become a cause for concern for all of us. Many people have started installing and air purifiers at home and offices to deal with the rising threat of air pollution, germs and viruses. The new products are going to address these concerns.”

Blue Ocean Global Group, the Dubai-headquartered master distributor of consumer electronics, telecom and small domestic appliances set up its UK operations last year with a registered office at Bathroad, Heathrow. This is a strategic move by the Blue Ocean Global Group to tap the growing opportunities in the United Kingdom as it leaves the European Union this year.

It has also recently appointed a British online logistics partner to sell and distribute to the British consumers. Blue Ocean Global Group distributes products to more than 40 countries with a team of more than 60 professionals.