Middle East 5

Retail congress on way

The phenomenal expansion of the Gulf retail industry will be a key topic for discussion when the world’s leading retailers meet at the World Retail Congress in Barcelona next month.
Some of the biggest names from the region’s will present and then discuss the vast opportunities for both international and domestic players, during a series of sessions devoted to this dynamic market, including Mohammed Alshaya, CEO, Alshaya Group; Tawhid Mohd Taher Abdullah, managing director, Damas; Patrick Chalhoub, managing director, Chalhoub Group; David Thurling, CEO, Istithmar Retail and Francois de Montaudouin, Group CEO, Majid Al Futtaim Investments.
As one of the main conference themes, the sessions are dedicated to how retailers can “get ahead of the game” in today’s emerging markets, and focus on how evolving economic, political and demographic trends will influence the future retail climate.
A wealth of international retailers who have entered the Middle East in recent years are also set to join the speaker line up, and are expected to advise on the challenges they have faced and the successes they have achieved, including Isak Halfon, executive vice- president international expansion, Mango; Norman Jaskolka, vice-president, Aldo Group International and Francis McAuley, international director, Debenhams.
In addition to an opening session, which will profile the regions retail outlook, other sessions devoted to the region include “Gaining a foothold in this dynamic market” and “The future landscape of the ever expanding shopping malls”.
These sessions will look at which brands and concepts work best in the region and discuss the properties of the mall of the future, helping delegates to choose the ‘correct’ location in today’s fast developing sector.
As the biggest Marks and Spencer outlet outside the UK opened last week at Festival City in Dubai, it is anticipated that the large Middle East delegation attending the Congress will also be particularly interested to hear Clem Constantine, Property Director for the iconic UK company, speak in a separate session on the impact of property decisions for retailers across the globe.
The World retail Congress is a unique event created in cooperation with the retail industry, which will bring together the world's leading retailers to address and debate the key issues.
With delegates drawn from 25 different countries around the globe, and a prestigious line up of almost 100 of the World’s retail leaders, it will provide the sector with a clear and coherent voice that will be heard by the key influencer groups such as politicians and policy makers.
Beyond the business streams and plenary sessions, the Congress will boast sector and country pavilions dedicated to business critical issues, and the launch of the World Retail Awards, the first ever global awards focused on retail excellence, which will take place during the Congress at a gala dinner.
The congress is organised by Emap Communications, with Visa confirmed as the Congress headline partner and KSA (Kurt Salmon Associates) as Awards headline partner. Co-sponsors include CBRE, Deloitte and Oracle.
Created in direct response to the demands of retailers in both developed and emerging markets, and supported by major international players including Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Carrefour, Ikea, AlShaya, AS Watson and Best Buy, the World Retail Congress will bring together the world’s retail leaders for high-level debate with international policy makers.
The aim is to drive growth in the global retail economy, promote the benefits of global retail excellence and gain sustainable, competitive edge in domestic and international markets.
With thousands of key retail professionals and politicians expected to attend, the focus will be on discussing and influencing the issues for change. Source

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