RETAIL PEOPLE MAGAZINE ISSUE 28 – EMBRACING THE KINGDOM, ITS PEOPLE AND RETAIL

ISSUE 28 | JULY - SEPTEMBER 2021

Embracing the Kingdom, its People and Retail Featuring:

KONRAD KOLANKIEWICZ Chief Operating Officer KINAN

Discover Saudi as the land of opportunity set to open doors to the world that will accelerate the economic growth of the Kingdom.

P20

MUDON...SKY MALL Big Things Grow

P24

WINGSTOP: The Path to Becoming a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand

P28

The Changing Face of the UAE's Retail Sector

WE’RE ON A MISSION TO SERVE THE WORLD FLAVOR Proven Winner One of the world’s fastest growing franchises is expanding into the Middle East and the opportunity to invest is now. Wingstop is on a mission to Serve the World Flavor through an unparalleled guest experience centered around our highly craveable classic wings, boneless wings and tenders, always cooked to order and hand-sauced-and-tossed in our unique flavors. Our investors find success with a proven model that combines a small retail footprint, easy-to-run operations and a technology platform that gives our digitally-savvy guests convenient access to the brand for delivery or takeout.

Global Growth At Wingstop, we have our sights set on opening over 6,000 restaurants globally and are well-positioned to grow given the increasing, international demand for craveable and unique food.

A key focus will be broadening the Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific regional markets, where we see immense opportunity. In the Middle East, we are striving to amplify our presence in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Join us in our goal to become a Top Ten Global restaurant brand. Founded in Dallas, TX, Wingstop has offered guests flavor without compromise since 1994.

(NASDAQ: WING)

CHARLIE MORRISON CHAIRMAN & CEO

OVER 1,500 LOCATIONS WORLDWIDE

CONTACT RADEK PODRACKY, DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, TO LEARN ABOUT FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES. RPODRACKY@WINGSTOP.COM

©2021 WF LLC.

CONTENTS CONTENT

CONTENTS

06

20 MECS+R MEMBER’S SEGMENT 34 Honoring Gregory Vogt School (GVS) Graduates NEWS BRIEF 42 Giordano International Expects Solid

Turnaround in 2021

David Macadam

Chief Executive Officer david@mecsc.org

04 WELCOME REMARKS ON THE COVER 06 Embracing the Kingdom: Saudi

Lea Venezuela Director lea@mecsc.org

Khaye Comanda Associate Director khaye@mecsc.org

Mariz Matocdo

Marketing Officer customercare@mecsc.org

People and Retail Featuring: Konrad Kolankiewicz, COO, Kinan

connect@mecsc.org

Justin Espiritu

14 Retail Industry in the Middle East:

A Market Insight

46 Nakheel Opens New Community

Pavilion at Nad Al Sheba

SHOPPING CENTRE UPDATE

16 Doha Festival City - The First Mall in Qatar Built on the Foundations of, and Committed

to Sustainability

https://www.mecsc.org/site/publications/RPM

CONTACT US: Mariz Matocdo | +971 56 548 1380 /+971 55 551 7605

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Send comments, suggestions or ideas to customercare@mecsc.org

Dubai-based King Group Hospitality Expands Portfolio That Will Boost UAE’s DH55 bn Foodservices Sector

47 Rivoli Group Announces OMEGA

Olympics 2020 Launch on Burj Khalifa WHAT’S NEW? 48 Air Jordan Concept Store Opens in The

Dubai Mall

Italian Fashion House Zegna to go Public in $3.2bn SPAC Deal

24 WINGSTOP: The Path to Becoming a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand

Burberry’s Sales Rebound to Pre-Pandemic Levels as Younger Shoppers Pile In

26 Maximising Sales Opportunities - What the

Food & Hospitality Industry Learned from

the Pandemic

Bed Bath & Beyond To Open Redesigned NYC Flagships

ThredUp Eyes European Expansion with Remix Acquisition

Armani Sees Sales Grow by 34 Percent

30 Develop Olfactive Experiences to Increase Profit PUBLISHED BY:

Lulu Group’s Yusuf Ali Appointed Vice Chairman of Abu Dhabi Chamber

FEATURE

28 The Changing Face of the UAE’s Retail Sector

Retail People Magazine |

44 EXPO 2020 Dubai: Emirates Offers

Complimentary Day Pass to Travellers

10 KSA Real Estate Market Outlook –

Resetting in the New Normal

22 Hili Mall at the Green City of Al Ain “Your Everyday Destination”

Relationship and Business Development Manager publishing@mecsc.org

Expand Summit to Attract Venture Capitalists for Financing Startups

45 UAE Economic Recovery Gaining

Momentum, says Standard Chartered

20 Mudon…Sky Mall - Big Things Grow

Digital Media & Innovation Manager

SPECIAL REPORT

18 Kinan - Transformation Leads to Success

Christian Baldonanza

43 Saudi Arabia to Reopen to Foreign Tourists from August 1

31 Building your Brand and Staying Relevant

Amid Evolving Market and Consumer Trends 32 Building Community is Key to Retail Real Estate Success

33 The Future of Retail: A Revolutionary Sustainable Fashion Industry for an Eco-

Friendly World

49 Rue 21 is Opening 15 Stores in 2021

Expo 2020 Dubai: Up to 30,000 Visitors Expected Every Month from US

Walmart Dropping $1 a Day Fee For Employees’ College Degree

Uniqlo Takes Over Superdry’s London Flagship

North Dakota Town Offers $1M To Company That Will Put An Aquarium In Its Mall

RETAIL PEOPLE . JUL - SEP 2021 .3

WELCOME

ISSUE 28 | JULY - SEPTEMBER 2021

Embracing the Kingdom, its People and Retail Featuring:

KONRAD KOLANKIEWICZ Chief Operating Officer KINAN

Discover Saudi as the land of opportunity set to open doors to the world that will accelerate the economic growth of the Kingdom.

P20

MUDON...SKY MALL Big Things Grow

P24

WINGSTOP: The Path to Becoming a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand

P28

The Changing Face of the UAE's Retail Sector

ON THE COVER

“The goal is not to do business with everybody who needs what you have. The goal is to do business with people who believe what you believe.”

– Simon Sinek – Author, Motivational Speaker, Trainer

Konrad Kolankiewicz COO | Kinan

Thank you to YOUNUS AL MULLA

MECS+R Chairman Senior Vice President - Retail International Development, Shopping Malls Procurement & Government Affairs Majid Al Futtaim Retail

ENG. WAIL M. BALKHAIR MECS+R Board President Saudi Arabia

MECS+R BOARD OF DIRECTORS

We can do business with anyone and with everyone, but it is always good to do business with people who believe in you and what you believe. At the end of the day, you shared one goal and vision to accomplish – to be successful and help others to succeed.

The Year 2020 or some called it ‘The Great Pause’, has caused us all to slow down, to think over our values and to revisit where and how we live as we look for ways to connect with our communities, business, and people. This quarter, we are excited to see how the industry is picking up and recovering from their pandemic wounds. Just like everybody else, the team at the MECS+R, is excited to conduct our live event to celebrate the 27th Annual Retail Congress MENA Conference, Exhibition and Awards on December 6-7, 2021, at the Ritz Carlton DIFC, Dubai.

In addition, we are excited to release our 3rd quarter issue of the Retail People Magazine themed: “Embracing the Kingdom, its People and Retail.” As the industry offers a new grace of hope, our new edition of the magazine unveils a fresh story from our Featured Cover – Konrad Kolankiewicz, COO of Kinan Malls. Konrad speaks about his experience in Saudi and how he sees the kingdom as the land of opportunity set to open doors to the world that will accelerate the economic growth of KSA. In line with the Cover Story, CBRE shared their insights on KSA Real Estate market outlook in resetting in the new normal while Reogma provided a retail market insight in the Middle East.

Furthermore, Doha Festival City, Mudon Ahlia, Hili Mall and Kinan Malls shared different insights about sustainability, transformation, new projects, and updates about their malls.

KAMEL SHABAN

CEO, SOLO MECS+R Board Vice President

JUBY JOSE

Head of Marketing & Specialty Leasing DALMA MALL MECS+R Board Treasurer

ALESSANDRO GAFFURI CEO & Founder CELS Group MECS+R Board Member

DUAIJ AL RUMAIHI

Mall Director, Bahrain Shopping Malls City Centre Bahrain MECS+R Board Member

Radek Podracky reveals Wingstop expansion plans to broaden their reach in the Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific. Anthony Spary shared his insights on the changing face of the UAE’s retail sector. Francis Loughran highlights the revenue-generating activities for café and restaurants.

Claire Boscq-Scott, Toufic Kreidieh, Mikaela Lovlund and Hany Alkholy have all contributed informative and inspiring articles in this issue.

Our team at the MECS+R would like to thank our authors, advertisers, members and you, our readers, for your continued support.

We hope that you are thrilled with our latest issue. We invite you to become more involved and we welcome your articles, views, and insights in our Retail People Magazine. Reach out to Mariz Matocdo at customercare@mecsc.org.

Thank you and enjoy the stories enclosed.

GOGI GEORGE

GM - Development & Leasing Lulu Group International - Oman MECS+R Board Member

MOHAMMED AL QAED

Manager, Property Management SEEF Properties MECS+R Board Member

SAMAR AKKOU

Leasing Manager Nakheel Malls MECS+R Board Member

RETAIL PEOPLE . JUL - SEP 2021 .4

DAVID MACADAM

Chief Executive Officer MECS+R

Eng. Wail M. Balkhair Board President MECS+R

COVER STORY

EMBRACING THE KINGDOM: Saudi People and Retail covered my head with a piece of fabric, and proceeded to change my tire with some old tools in his trunk (which he later gave to me should the worst happen again).

Refusing to take any money, he waved and prayed that I made it to my destination safely. One might say that this was a miracle, I can tell you that this day I met a gentleman who exemplifies the majority of Saudis whom I met over the past two years.

The Land of Opportunity

I

t was July 2010 and my family and I were in need of some adventure and recreation; so we decided to ‘hit the open road’ and see what else the beautiful Middle East had to offer. Venturing from UAE’s Garden City, Al Ain to Lebanon’s capital, Beirut - “this should be fun!” I said. Were those four words about to be my famous-last-words?

Although adventurous by nature and no stranger to taking risks, little did I know driving through Saudi Arabia was to be one of the craziest things I had ever done. From crossing the border after the final fuel-up at ADNOC, we were hit with an endless stretch of secluded desert road. Indeed for nearly 20 hours, we had seen nothing but desert, camels, and more desert.

Suddenly the dreaded ‘thud’ began echoing from under my car.

Yes…over 50°C, scorching midday sun, and a flat tire. This was going to be painful.

A few moments later I experienced the true nature of the Saudi people for the first time - the core strength of this nation.

Eventually, an old Cadillac pulled over. With windows rolled down, no AC, and the entire family sitting inside; the eldest man, who didn’t speak one word of English, got out of the car and walked over. Seeing me dripping with sweat, red-faced, and helpless, he went back to his car, poured me a cup of camel milk,

RETAIL PEOPLE . JUL - SEP 2021 .6

On the contrary to my very first encounter, Saudi Arabia isn’t all desert and camels. A land rich in historical and spiritual depths; unexplored natural beauty and the most generous people. I am proud to call this country my new home.

Since landing my first role in the Kingdom in mid-2019 with Kinan Malls, I quickly came to realize that the people were a reflection of the country’s visionary leadership. The genuine

love and respect my new-found friends and colleagues have for Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is extremely telling and, quite frankly, he has become a role model of mine too. The Kingdom’s Vision 2030, or what I like to call the ‘masterplan’, is positively reshaping the country on multiple levels. Of course, this transformation would not have been possible without such exceptional leadership, and it’s the citizens that are making the plan a reality.

Similarly, it was (and still is) the people that helped me adapt to my new reality. One can only imagine the challenges it has faced to develop into a modern society paving the way with the latest technology, infrastructure, modern designs, and real estate projects that have become the talk of the world. But I can try and I can certainly talk about my personal journey to embracing the Kingdom, its people, and retail.

“

The Kingdom’s Vision 2030, or

what I like to call the ‘masterplan’, is positively reshaping the country on multiple levels. Of course, this transformation would not have been possible without such exceptional leadership, and it’s the citizens that are making the plan a reality.

Arriving in Saudi was one of the greatest challenges of my professional and personal life. With a head full of media-driven misconceptions, I didn’t know what I had got myself into. What an amazing surprise!

Advice to my younger self?

”

The People Make the Place One of my greatest passions is riding a Harley: exploring the unseen and tearing up the mountains is nothing short of exhilarating. During Covid travel restrictions, I rode for over 40,000 km across the Kingdom visiting remote villages and cities from coast to coast (a lot of places that even my Saudi colleagues had never heard of!).

Stop watching the news and experience Saudi for yourself!

RETAIL PEOPLE . JUL - SEP 2021 .7

COVER STORY

Everywhere I go I would experience nothing, but sincere hospitality, care, and openness. It was those interactions that became the core source of my inspiration towards improving the business performance of my organisation that is in line with Vision 2030 and its main pillar: QUALITY OF LIFE. Most of the younger Saudi generation spent years travelling across Europe and the US, attending college, and broadening their horizons. They witnessed different environments and approaches to customer service and quality. Therefore, they understand that service-based industries in KSA must improve in order to deliver a desired customer experience. My contribution to this phenomenal society should be based on improving those standards to ensure that the domestic quality of business and consumer experience are competitive with and exceeds that of other regions.

Quality of Life is Changing!

One of my initial observations when I arrived in Saudi was that every aspect of life lacks a certain element of quality. The recent cultural and social transformation, in particular, the influx of women joining the workforce, has directly triggered a shift in the lifestyle which is the core element of the government’s vision.

Recent real estate investments triggered by the Public Investment Fund and executed by a number of companies such as Roshn, Neom, Saudi Entertainment Ventures, Saudi Downtown Company and other organisations are credible proof of just how vast Saudi’s transformation is with wide-ranging opportunities making it more than just a vision.

At the heart of every real estate development, there should be a place for retail. Creating a sustainable, healthy, and happy environment for the community, my top priority at KINAN,

RETAIL PEOPLE . JUL - SEP 2021 .8

“

my top priority at KINAN, which later became the company’s core mission, is to continue improving quality of shopping experience for our visitors and communities across the KSA.

”

which later became the company’s core mission, is to continue improving quality of shopping experience for our visitors and communities across the KSA. I always tell my team that it is much easier to develop a new property than to fix an old asset, it is a challenge that will become your greatest learning experience. Together with my team, we developed multiple strategies and action plans to improve operational standards across Kinan’s malls. It is the least we can do as an organisation to support and contribute towards the Kingdom’s vision.

Lead by Example

Over a Decade in the Making

Our communities deserve the best possible retail and lifestyle offerings. We looked at the overall condition of our properties, the basic facilities like: washrooms, common areas, food courts, and arrival experience. Having now completed the renovation of three malls with more to come, I believe that we are already achieving those strategic objectives. For the first time, I have seen customers taking pictures inside the washrooms and under the trees, which have become core elements of our signature design.

I’ve been in the Gulf for over 15 years now. Today, I am Chief Operating Officer at one of the largest real estate organisations in Saudi Arabia. It’s been quite a journey…from humble beginnings with Aldar Properties in Abu Dhabi where I started as a Retail Marketing Manager, to become General Manager of a retail and mixed-use assets portfolio. My professional career has been exposed to many challenges which have become huge milestone achievements that have made me who I am today. I could not have asked for a better experience than working and living in Saudi Arabia, and it has been a pleasure to learn and grow with my colleagues who have become friends for life.

One of the remaining challenge are tenants. Unfortunately, a lot of them do not follow mall trading hours, delivery procedures, or basic store keeping rules. With rental agreements converting into turnover/profit share, it is extremely important to maximise the performance. I am often faced with retailers complaining about their sales. However, when they choose to open in the afternoon, or close for a few hours in-between the prayer times ‘how can we generate the sales?’ With a mall half closed, our customers are forced to visit competitors. At the end, retailers’ success becomes a financial success for all. Our retail delivery and facilities management team are there to consult and advise on what can be done to enhance customer experience and generate better performance.

It is a tremendously rewarding feeling and experience that I can contribute to something other than my day-to-day duties. I feel that I am helping accomplish the government’s vision, rewriting history, and directly improving the lives of the Saudi society.

It is extremely important that regardless of our position in the corporate world, our background, or our nationality, we can identify ourselves as contributors to the success of the entire country while finding motivation, inspiration, and satisfaction in all aspects of our lives.

Kinan, as well as other real estate companies such as Arabian Centres, Al Shaya, Majid Al Futtaim, Unified, and Hamat Malls, start recognizing the business potential and gap in the retail sector. The official announcement made about the Mall of Saudi indicates that KSA will not only play a dominant role in the Gulf region, but will open its doors to the world with iconic projects that will accelerate the economic growth of the Kingdom, as well as diversify its economy. I urge international retailers to consider investing in the Kingdom and explore its amazing potential. What

an exciting time to be in Saudi Arabia!

KONRAD KOLANKIEWICZ - Chief Operating Officer

RETAIL PEOPLE . JUL - SEP 2021 .9

SPECIAL REPORT

KSA REAL ESTATE MARKET OUTLOOK RESETTING IN THE NEW NORMAL The outlook for Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector remains relatively strong across all segments, despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic.

While the recovery in economic activity and the resultant resurgence in business confidence will help underpin performance in Saudi Arabia's real estate markets, the pandemic has undoubtedly accelerated already shifting fundamentals in sectors such as the offices, retail and industrial logistics sectors.

CBRE explores some major themes, which we feel set to define key real estate sectors going forward.

Residential

Ministry of Rural Affairs & Housing leading the transformation and growth of the residential sector, by offering financing and housing solutions for both investors and end-users, to support the Vision 2030 objective of increasing the homeownership rate to 70% by 2030.

The impact of COVID-19 has shed light on staff and labour accommodation projects, impacting space requirements and increased focus on filling the market gap for a quality product featuring sufficient facilities and amenities.

Millennials emerging as a key consumer class, with the reconfiguration of residential spaces expected as well as increased demand for digitally enabled homes and larger unit sizes to accommodate home offices.

Millennials emerging as a key consumer class, with the reconfiguration of residential spaces expected as well as increased demand for digitally enabled homes and larger unit sizes to accommodate home offices.

Increased demand witnessed across major markets for smaller residential typologies, with an increased focus on community living environment. Developers are responding by introducing a greater proportion of apartments and townhouses within their megaprojects.

RETAIL PEOPLE . JUL - SEP 2021 .10

Offices

Recent government initiatives for regional HQ’s to be based in the kingdom will force regional occupiers to review their office footprint across the Middle East and start planning for the long term. The KSA will undoubtedly benefit from an increased market share of office occupiers in the region.

Physical offices here to stay, portfolio optimization via the right mix of traditional, flexible spaces and any relevant remote working strategy.

Workplace strategies will involve repositioning spaces, amenities and services to meet changing employee needs; enhanced tech tools to transform the way commercial properties are being designed and marketed.

Development is expected to continue to move away standalone office towers to mixed-use communities, which offer vibrant and accessible live-work-play settings such as Digital City and the upcoming King Abdullah Financial District.

Significant increase in new Grade A supply expected to be delivered in the next 12-24 months resulting in a flight to quality for occupiers and will set new benchmarks for developers in the Kingdom.

Retail

An increased focus on reinventing the “experience”; realignment of existing spaces expected as an emphasis on outdoor and open areas to increase. New stores to adopt more global guidelines and synergies with store size optimization expected to allow for faster recovery and better profitability.

Landlords will be expected to provide increased flexibility to remain successful – flexible lease terms, schemes with flexible, convertible, and open spaces to witness greater retailer interest going forward.

Accelerated growth in e-commerce expected; QSRs, grocery, F&B, electronics, and homeware segments to lead retail recovery while local e-commerce providers continue to increase market share.

The rapid growth of online shopping is likely to result in more omnichannel retail, however, preserving the “physical experience” will be a critical component of these omnichannel strategies, particularly in the KSA. Signature assets due to be delivered in the Kingdom over the next 12-24 months are expected to elevate the positioning of the KSA’s retail supply, driving change throughout investors' portfolios by embracing technology and innovation to create more attractive leasing opportunities for brands.

RETAIL PEOPLE . JUL - SEP 2021 .11

SPECIAL REPORT

Hospitality

Slower recovery compared to regional neighbours due to the prolonged closure of borders to international tourists until May 17th, 2021, this particularly impacted religious tourism and to a lesser extent corporate tourism. The closure of borders and restrictions on travel for Saudi nationals has provided significant support for domestic tourism.

Hoteliers have made cost reductions, mainly through salary cuts and efficiency creation. Whilst salaries are reverting to normal, reductions and rationalizations are here to stay as they have little or no impact on a guests’ experience but do contribute to higher GOPs. Government-led projects are expected to become the powerhouse of the tourism sector in KSA once fully completed. The delivery of the first phases of projects such as the Red Sea or AlUla will participate in the creation of a new perception of the KSA as a leisure tourism destination.

Despite the current challenges of the industry, investors’ confidence in the country’s potential remains high, bolstered by government-led initiatives and projects.

Investment activity is driven mainly by new developments and few hotel transactions happen.

Industrial and Logistics

The Kingdom’s National Industrial Development and Logistics Program set out a broad plan to transform Saudi Arabia into a global industrial and logistics hub.

Through a range of investment programs and regulatory changes, the program is looking to develop the country’s Energy, Mining, Industry and Logistics sectors.

Major infrastructure improvement projects targeting air, rail and road infrastructure, combined with plans to establish eight special economic zones by 2030, will underpin demand for institutional quality industrial and logistics real estate.

Focus on food security and cold storage space is expected to form a key component of speculative development in the industrial and logistics market.

Given the relatively nascent nature of the sector in the Kingdom, particularly for occupiers focusing on its domestic market, we are likely to see less of a requirement for lease flexibility as we are seeing on a global basis.

Substantial growth in the e-commerce sector and an ever-growing list of regional and international pure play and multi-channel retailers entering the Saudi market will drive demand for fulfilment and distribution facilities.

Read the full report here.

RETAIL PEOPLE . JUL - SEP 2021 .12

SAUDI BONYAN Saudi Bonyan is the real estate development arm of Abdulrahman Saad Al Rashid & Sons Company in Saudi Arabia. It is a wholly owned subsidiary.

Saudi Bonyan has a large and diversified portfolio of income generating assets that span across different sectors such as retail, residential and mixed developments. The company also engages in land development as part of its strategy.

AL RASHID MEGA MALL

AL RASHID MALL ABHA

AL RASHID MALL JAZAN

SAUDI BONYAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CO. Al Imam Saud Ibn Abdul Aziz Branch Rd. Al Mohammadiyyah P.O. Box 9102, Riyadh 12364, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Tel. no. +966 (0) 11 8290 800 info@saudibonyan.com.sa RETAIL PEOPLE . JUL - SEP 2021 .13

SPECIAL REPORT

RETAIL INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST: A MARKET INSIGHT THE RETAIL INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST WAS VALUED AT US$1.4 TRILLION IN 2020 AND IS POISED TO GROW AT 3.8% TO REACH A MARKET VALUE OF US$1.69 TRILLION IN 2025

The Middle East's retail business is on the verge of a major shift.

The region's developed economies have been critical in propelling market growth. Countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are popular shopping destinations, with visitors contributing significantly to the retail sector in their respective economies. Tourists are driving up the demand for products in the fashion, apparel, and technology industries. Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds GDP, has long been a leading indicator of the retail sector's strength. With the pandemic,

Market Trends: RETAIL PEOPLE . JUL - SEP 2021 .14

the growing preference for online shopping has been a major driver for the burgeoning e-commerce retail sales. Aside from that, the e-commerce sector is being driven by increasing smartphone usage across the region. The retail industry is also being reshaped by IoT, augmented reality, and other disruptive technologies.

Price disparities between online and brick-and-mortar businesses, on the other hand, may pose an obstacle to the retail market's expansion.

One of the key drivers driving the growth in the Middle East retail market is the growing population, particularly the number of expats. Between 2015 and 2020, the Middle East population rose at a CAGR of 2% and between 2020 and 2025, the population is predicted to rise at a 2% annualised rate to over 450 million people, according to the IMF. The increasing proportion of people in the working class will fuel the demand for multinational brands and shift attitudes toward healthier food services.

Furthermore, the region's tech-savvy millennial population is increasing demand for e-commerce as a point of sale, forcing traditional merchants to embrace omnichannel strategies in order to keep up with changing consumer preferences.

Expatriates have also made a significant contribution to the expansion of the retail industry, accounting for over 49% of the total population and over 70% of the Middle East private sector employment. As of 2020, expats account for roughly 89% of the UAE's population, with 88% in Qatar. Due to the region's potential and an inflow of expatriate employees, has increased the demand for global brands and fostering an eating-out culture. Several foreign businesses and F&B retail establishments continue to benefit from this trend.

Retail Infrastructure Developments to Gain Momentum

Increasing Adoption of E-commerce

To accommodate a growing population, a growing tourism sector, and rising GDP per capita, regional governments are likely to continue investing extensively in infrastructure development.

Diversification initiatives by regional governments have had favourable results, with major multinational retail brands increasing their footprint or evaluating the Middle East as the next investment hub. As a result of the increasing investments, some of the major economies in the Middle East region are set to witness an increasing number of malls and shopping centres set to open in the year 2021, some of them are included in the table below.

Country

Malls / Shopping Centres set to open in 2021

UAE

Dubai South Mall, Dubai Mall Boulevard expansion and the Night Souk on Deira Islands

Saudi Arabia

University Avenue, Khaleej Mall, Elite, Dheyafah, Turki Square and AdhDhahiah Center

Qatar

Marina Mall, Vendôme in Lusail City, Northgate Mall, Doha Mall, Doha Oasis, Katara Plaza and Al Waab Mall

Bahrain

Mall of Dilmunia, Avenues Mall, Community Mall

The landscape of the Middle East retail market has changed during the past few years, with the emergence of online shopping due to high levels of the internet, smartphone and social media penetration in the region.

From US$ 5.0 billion in 2015, the Middle East e-commerce market is predicted to increase at a 35% CAGR to US$ 48.6 billion by 2022 as per Reogma’s research. By 2022, the UAE (US$ 16.8 billion) and Saudi Arabia (US$ 18.4 billion) are predicted to continue to lead the region, accounting for more than 79.2% of total e-commerce sales. Rising awareness of e-commerce benefits (discounts, offers, specials, etc.), secure payment gateways, improved delivery channels, and an increasing millennial population is anticipated to promote higher online sales.

Stats. on E-Commerce in the Middle East

320 Million

#of E-Commerce Users

65%

% of users that have made a Online purchase

65%

% of businesses that have online presence

58%

% of users that regularly buy online

US$ 28.4 Bn

Current Value of B2C e-Commerce

60%

users that repeat purchase online

In conclusion, we see that the retail sector in the Middle East is shifting towards e-commerce and omnichannel operations. Postpandemic this trend is going to stay making retailers adopt a comprehensive omnichannel strategy.

This article is from Reogma – a business analytics firm for SMEs. Reogma’s vision is to make research reports and market data be accessible to everyone at nominal costs. Visit Reogma.com to access extensive research, insights and data trackers.

Source: Reogma.com

RETAIL PEOPLE . JUL - SEP 2021 .15

SHOPPING CENTRE UPDATE

Doha Festival City The First Mall in Qatar Built on the Foundations of, and Committed to Sustainability

D

oha Festival City, Qatar’s one and only choice for shopping, dining and entertainment, is the first sustainable mall in Qatar, having received level three certification by the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) in recognition of its commitment to sustainable development. This achievement adds to Doha Festival City’s commitment to being a “smart mall”, and further contributes to the mall’s engagement in favour of sustainable development.

Doha Festival City was evaluated by GSAS on multiple factors, including energy efficiency and consumption, conscientious water usage, reusability of construction materials and indoor environmental quality.

Furthermore, the mall is currently upgrading its system to enable the utilization of TSE (treated sewage effluent) waters for chilled water circulation and will be able to fully rely on TSE water for its Chillers in the second half of 2021, while undertaking further action to boost the sustainability of its operations.

The mall has implemented many ecologically responsible measures throughout the project with the main aim to help protect the environment as it strives to deliver environmentally conscious solutions wherever possible for the well-being of today and tomorrow’s generations.

Committed to reduce the waste of paper and protect our forests by reducing the amount of printed materials, we constantly prioritize digital tools to communicate and interact with our visitors and Qatar community. The recently held Digital Raffle Draw was organized as part of our Homeware Festival, as well as our ongoing Food Campaign

RETAIL PEOPLE . JUL - SEP 2021 .16

raffle draw, are carried out using digital platforms, including digital coupons and QR-codes. Thus, we deliver on our sustainability goals by making our marketing campaigns environmentally friendly as well, successfully minimizing our environmental footprint.

The Mall is equipped with digital way finder screens, and most of our marketing campaigns and initiatives have a strong digital side.

Home to like-minded brands with a responsible approach to the environment, Doha Festival City featured sustainable collections and products throughout the mall in lightboxes to mark World Ocean Day during the month of June.

Harvey Nichols, &Other Stories, H&M, COS, Tavola, The Body Shop, and several other brands took part in the initiative, inviting Doha Festival City visitors to consume responsibly, while dedicated digital screens were set to spread awareness around the importance of preserving the world's oceans.

Throughout the month of June, the mall engaged with its customers through several exciting activities aimed at promoting action to protect the world's oceans and its biodiversity and in raising awareness about the role of the Ocean in the global ecosystem, food, medicine, and oxygen supply.

These sustainable brands will be on display throughout June at the Mall:

& Other Stories

COS

London-based fashion brand, COS, has introduced its summer collection. Inspired by the renewal of the seasons and the brand’s optimism for the future, the collection embraces warmer weather, whilst remaining versatile and timeless.

Committed to sourcing quality materials that limit the impact on the planet, the season focuses on fibers that require less water and pesticides to cultivate, such as linen and hemp. These fabrics are durable, whilst appearing weightless, fostering movement and draping. Repurposed materials are adopted throughout, with recycled nylon utilized in swimwear.

For the first time ever, & Other Stories has created a collection for women and kids, from one and a half to eight years old. Featuring summery, printed dresses and sets crafted with sustainably sourced materials, the collection is inspired by the importance of female role models in a young girl’s life. Whether it is with her mother, grand-mother, aunt, or anyone else with a close bond. Joy, optimism, and wisdom flows through each precious relationship and into every piece of this beautiful collection.

The Body Shop

H&M

To combine the latest trends with quality at the best price in a sustainable way, H&M’s ambition is to work towards a change in the way fashion is made and enjoyed today. In 2019, H&M Group collected 29,005 tons of textiles for reuse and recycling — equivalent to about 145 million T-shirts. The goal is to increase the number of garments collected, every year. The fashion industry weighs heavy on natural resources, which is one reason H&M Group has set up clear goals going ahead: the retailer’s mission is to only use recycled or other sustainably sourced materials by 2030. Currently, 65% of H&M collections are produced with more sustainable materials. Check out their stunning summer collection at the mall to discover more.

The Body Shop seeks to make a positive difference in the world by offering high-quality, naturally inspired skincare, body care, haircare and make-up produced ethically and sustainably.

Having pioneered the philosophy that business can be a force for good, this ethos is still the brand’s driving force. The Body Shop operates around 3,000 retail locations in more than 70 countries.

Along with Avon, Aesop and Natura, The Body Shop is part of Natura &Co, a global, multi-channel, multi-brand cosmetics group that is committed to generating positive economic, social, and environmental impact.

Through contributing to major initiatives in this field, Doha Festival City also aims to educate its visitors on the importance of sustainability, enticing them to contribute to the national efforts.

The mall spares no efforts in contributing to major global events including World Water Day, Earth Hour and World Ocean Day amongst others.

Robert Hall

General Manager Doha Festival City Al-Futtaim Malls

RETAIL PEOPLE . JUL - SEP 2021 .17

SHOPPING CENTRE UPDATE

TRANSFORMATION LEADS TO SUCCESS

T

he world is about to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with the potential of new waves to evolve, shopping malls, like many other businesses, faced an urgent need to transform to meet the challenges and adapt rapidly; forming the right and resilient strategy has become an essential element to any organizations as a crucial aspect to obtain a sustainable business and competitive advantage.

Kinan’s portfolio consisting of ten malls, serving millions of customers in six key cities across Saudi Arabia, has launched the transformation strategy in early 2020 taking us into the future. Hence, this strategy has provided a strong foundation and a road map to quickly adopt precautionary and improvement measures to confront the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

We still believe more needs to be done while revisiting some of our core strategies: leading perfection, customer satisfaction, a safe environment, and the best shopping experience in Kinan malls.

Keep Malls Safe Throughout the Pandemic Assets and Systems Performance, Security and Safety Measures, Air and Water Quality were the core elements in our strategy to keep Kinan’s malls a safe destination to visitors. In that sense, we have utilized the available recourse and our partner’s technology and innovative solutions for remote monitoring services, including air, water quality and conditionbased maintenance, to control the building and ensure minimum energy consumption during the low or no occupancy.

I still remember the moment of giving malls work permits, going back to life and rolling out the red carpet to open gates to the crowd. It was a day of hard teamwork with no sleep hours in the operation and control room which I used to call “The Beehive”, evaluating ways, options and resources to create a more seamless journey and improve the customer experience minimize this impact by creating a joyful and positive atmosphere as you welcome customers back.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has managed the epidemic with the highest professionalism and control measures. Such a successful approach has been recognized as one of the most effective measures from precautionary, proactive measures and community awareness campaigns. Kinan Malls was one of the most trusted destinations for official TV Channels and social media platforms to communicate with the audience the success stories of cooperation between people, private and government sector institutions in the success of the Kingdoms strategic plans combating this pandemic.

Go Green and Sustainable is the Goal Over the years, there have been many changes in how facilities management is recognized within retail environments.

A common feeling towards facilities management was that once it is brought to our attention, it signifies a problem: unclean areas, a leak in the ceiling, and faulty air conditioning.

Being in Kinan as a mall operator leader, I recognized how important it is to be aligned with the Kingdom vision 2030. Thus, we start pursuing LEED and Green initiatives that can lead to environmentally eco-friendly lifestyles and taking ecologically responsible decisions, which can help to show the importance of natural resources within Kinan malls and by knowing that renovation has a direct impact on the perception of the mall atmosphere and an indirect one on customer satisfaction and spending we came over all difficulties, challenges, at the time where organizations, governments and individuals were navigating throughout all the challenges created by the

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pandemic trying to realize what can be done to survive. We at Kinan was heading in our transformation and commitment to stakeholders, visitor and partners, relying on international and local players in the design, contracting and supply chain market to engage the FM strategy with their innovation and technology as a partner shares our values of integrity, commitment, creativity and passion for victory and associated malls refurbishing and face-lifting plans to upgrade the key zones “food court, entrances, toilets, parking, brand new façade, spacious corridors and common areas” enriching the shopping experience of Kinan shopping malls customers.

since 2019 to provide a superior shopping experience for our customers and add value for our retailers.

Sky is our Limit We committed to continue this journey with passion to be playing our role in this strategic transformation story and look forward to enhancing the quality of life for customers visiting Kinan malls and continue providing the market with iconic destinations for tenants and customers.

“ Our Shopping Malls strive

to truly be a place for much more than just shopping

”

Partner of Creativity and Passion Understanding the role of the shopping centre as a business place, a property and as an investment are essential qualities in successful management. I believe that the poor quality of assets and facilities management service, lack of strategy and experience, many shopping malls are not getting the quality anticipated level of facilities management service or at the costs initially sought is one of the most critical factors affecting a shopping malls success or failure.

At Kinan, we made our mission stick by providing elegant service to our shopping mall visitors and retailers. In 2019, an international facilities management company appointed as a partner that shares our values across our retail portfolio taps into Kinan’s revitalization strategy, which is aimed

Abdullah Haj Qasim

Director of Facility Management and Retail Delivery Kinan

RETAIL PEOPLE . JUL - SEP 2021 .19

SHOPPING CENTRE UPDATE

Mudon...SKY MALL Big Things Grow Kuwait has been known for its specialized souks and huge markets.

One of the most common areas for this is Dajeej, which is highly known for being the hub for all furniture stores along with home accessories, decor lighting, and everything related to Kuwaiti houses.

Recently, Dajeej has witnessed a huge breakthrough when one of the largest universities in the Middle East opened in its area, Al Shadadiya University. This is one of the main reasons why the attention is now set on the Al Dajeej Area, from multi-national brands to big household names.

The Retail People Magazine had the opportunity to interview Eng. Omar Nigm, the CEO of Mudon Ahlia Real Estate who, since its inception, has acted as a vital part of the key management team.

With his vision and work model, the company has flourished from

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a small firm to one of the leading real estate operating companies in Kuwait for the past 15 years. With an impressive portfolio of projects and assets all around the country.

1. Can you tell us about your current project?

Our project Sky Mall, is located in Al Dajeej, expanding over 10,000 square feet, with built-up area of 40,000 square meters, with an elevation of 4 stories. The mall accommodates a variety of central markets, electronics, furniture, clothing, cafes, restaurants and others. The mall will also have direct shops which will have all the necessities for homes, from kitchens, electricity, to deco.

All the above are supported with 30,000 m2 of car parking.

2. What do you love most about this project?

As covid-19 restrictions start to ease, we are expecting thousands of visitors to flock to this new mall, bringing a much-needed boost to Dajeej Area. We have purposely designed it in a way that brings joy and excitement to visitors with the uniqueness of the interiors and the number of retail shops and restaurants. We have invested in this mall because we believe the future in shopping lies in shopping malls rather than online.

3. Can you give us more technical insights about the project?

Sky Mall has a very modern architectural design with high ceilings, natural lightings, exceptional night elements adding vibrance and beauty to the complex.

Construction is expected to be ready by December 2021 and will be opened to the public by the end of spring 2022. Leasing in Sky Mall has been very appealing considering its exceptional location and high standards.

Eng Omar Nigm

Chief Executive Officer Mudon Ahlia Real Estate

4. How do you see the retail industry during the pandemic?

First, I would like to say that many of the retail property development trends have risen recently as a direct reflection of the uncertainty that the pandemic has caused. We believe that in retail, the consumer is the king, so moves should be flexible and affordable.

Developers are obliged to provide workable and sustainable solutions to tenants. And let me add that retail is going through a major transformation now, but it's time for the small retailers to shine. And for Mudon,

we are determined to stay on track with our growth goals for the coming years even if our strategy has had a little shift in response to the current situation.

5. Any last words you want the readers to know more about your upcoming Sky Mall?

Sky Mall was developed to help revive public life. We expect the mall to be a preferred destination within the city for people to meet, shop and relax. We promise our visitors of all ages a unique entertainment and shopping experience.

RETAIL PEOPLE . JUL - SEP 2021 .21

SHOPPING CENTRE UPDATE

HILI MALL

- at the Green City of Al Ain

“

H

Your Everyday Destination

any Abd El-Hamid, Deputy General Manager at Hili Mall, has made a significant contribution in his 14-year career to the Potential Real Estate, the property development arm of Sultan Bin Rashed Group across the UAE. Hany is an experienced manager specializing in Shopping Centre and Property Management.

He has a proven track record in Retail Real Estate Industry which spans 17 years of experience in Leasing, Marketing, Technical Services, Accounts and Business Development.

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”

1. Can you give us a summary of your career?

I started my career in real estate industry in 2004 as a leasing officer. Through hard work, improving my skills and problem-solving abilities, I was able to progress fast throughout my career. In 2007, I was promoted as a leasing head and advanced my career as a property manager in 2011. Finally, in March 2016, I assumed the role of Hili Mall Management as a DGM. I am incredibly happy with my organization that utilizes my management skills to benefit mutual growth and success. My goal is to become associated with the organization where I can utilize my skills and gain further experience while enhancing the company’s productivity and reputation.

2. What do you love the most in your current role?

Every day brings a new challenge, I am continually learning. My job can be very challenging at times, but then again, it pushes me and my senses to full potential. I love the fact that landlords are always willing to listen to me and think about ways that we can enhance our properties performance through our ideas. Also, I love the outstanding level of collaboration at my current role. It is genuinely refreshing to be part of a team that work harmoniously towards the same goals.

3. Hili Mall is a part of mixed-use development, consisting of a shopping centre and a 5-star hotel, can you share a brief information about your mall?

The Mall is strategically positioned at Hili District, a thriving tourist area and bustling suburb in the north of Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Hili Mall is a super community mall opened its doors to public in September 2013. I am proud to say that this is a first-rate boutique mall that brings together discerning shoppers with upscale retail brands. Rising 3 stories high and encompassing 161 retail outlets, Hili Mall entail all components one would expect to find a modern-day shopping destination. For shoppers, retailers, and investors who are in search for superior quality and service, Hili Mall can be the venue of choice.

7. How do you ensure your workforce has the skills and capabilities to meet the ever-changing demands of your customers?

The workforce is the company’s most valuable asset.

You wouldn’t be able to achieve your goals without the people who work with you. Hence, investing in employees’ development and trainings help employees to improve their skills and knowledge in the industry and boosts your bottom line. When employees are properly trained, and that training is constantly updated, they are able to better serve our customers and deliver a top customer experience. That’s why recently, Hili Mall, joined the MECS+R’s Global Associate Program where our team will have the opportunity to learn how to develop, lease, market and operate our mall successfully.

4. Hili Mall was opened in 2013. How has it changed since the opening date?

Hili Mall opened its doors to public in 2013 with 50% of the Gross Leasable Area was operational. With making major changes in Hypermarket and FEC, as well as joining leading groups and well-known brands to the mall in addition to a range of events and activities have been added to the calendar, we reached over 94% of the GLA operational stores.

5. What impact has COVID-19 had on your community mall?

Every business sector in the world has been affected by Covid-19. The pandemic created significant challenges in retail sector. Retail footfall has been unprecedented falls as shoppers stayed at home. Hili Mall was in lockdown for 2 months except the Hypermarket, Pharmacies and Clinics as per the government’s request to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Hili Mall was one of Abu Dhabi malls have successfully met the stringent health and safety standards and implement the compulsory precautionary measures set by the government and reopened its doors to public quickly.

6. As digital transformation is a hot topic now, how does Hili Mall plan to align on this?

Digital transformation is no longer considered an option in the retail industry. Many retailers are reinventing themselves through digitization to stay competitive in the market after the impact of Covid-19. It has become the priority to many retailers to improve their services and facilities to bring up the satisfaction level and to deliver value to their customers. Shopping malls management must therefore prove themselves in front of their retailers in order to generate sufficient demand in the future. Different customers will appreciate different components of the shopping experience, but everyone is likely wanted the perfect integration of digital and physical. The personal experience remains the key incentive that drives shoppers into shopping centres and should be the focus of nowadays marketing strategies.

HANY ABD EL-HAMID Deputy General Manager Hili Mall

RETAIL PEOPLE . JUL - SEP 2021 .23

FEATURE

WING STOP : The Path to Becoming a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand Wingstop is hungry to spread its wings all over the world.

A

t Wingstop, we have our sights set on opening over 6,000 restaurants globally and are well-positioned to grow given the increasing, international demand for craveable and unique food. Our goal is simple: to bring our unique and highly differentiated flavors, with made-to-order premium chicken, in markets contiguous to our existing ones as well as countries with a sizeable population density. We are steadfast in our vision of becoming a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand.

About Wingstop: Founded in Dallas, TX, Wingstop has offered guests flavor without compromise since 1994. Beyond a chicken wing concept, Wingstop delivers a meal solution that encourages a flavor-focused, customizable journey fit for all kinds of consumers. Our unparalleled flavors matched with high-quality proteins and sides are the building blocks for our guests’ fanatic love for the brand. Wingstop is a publicly traded company at Nasdaq in New York (NASDAQ: WING) and operates and franchises over 1,500 locations worldwide.

A Category of One: Chicken is the number one consumed protein in the world.

However, no one does what we do like we do it. Wingstop is a category of one, offering consumers

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RADEK PODRACKY

Director of International Development Wingstop

a flavor-centric, shareable chicken wing experience unlike any other. Our highly portable model is our strength and can be customized to fit into market-specific needs and behaviors. With a small roster and streamlined operations allowed by an uncomplicated menu, Wingstop’s business is efficiently positioned to withstand volatility and uncertainty. The concept is simple to operate and provides convenience for our global consumers who are digitally savvy, including those who seek convenience of delivery and takeaway. In a world where consumers have more options than ever before, this enables our adaptability for on/off premise channels around the globe exceptionally well.

Wingstop’s Global Presence: Currently, Wingstop operates in six countries outside the US, featuring locations in the UK, France, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and Indonesia. Our international footprint started with our first Mexico franchised restaurant 12 years ago. Our Mexican footprint has exploded into over 100 locations with a development commitment to reach 200 by 2028.

Though we’ve started our global adventure 12 years ago, Wingstop is just getting started. Most recently, we announced a brand-new partnership in Canada to develop 100 restaurants over the next 10 years, and we’re planning to have a large presence in market in a fairly short period of time, starting with Toronto. Because of the nature of our brand, we fare well with a variety of asset types and are flexible in our approach to fortress markets. This includes ghost kitchen, small box, carryout/delivery only and more. With a strong demand in delivery, we will continue building the tech stack for our international markets to support the carry out business and set the technology foundation of the future.

Additionally, as we grow confident in our global growth strategy, we’ve also recently made our first direct investment with our UK Brand partner to accelerate our growth in the British market which we’ve entered late 2018. We’ve experienced great success in markets like the UK, where there were existing wing concepts, but Wingstop was able to offer a differentiated dining experience.

Charlie Morrison

Chairman & CEO Wingstop

Wingstop’s Expansion Goals: Before entering any new market, Wingstop is deliberate in understanding the consumer, adjusting our format to resonate locally while also retaining the core of our brand and what makes it successful in the United States. At the corporate level, we have a team dedicated to mapping out where we need to grow internationally while staying true to the Wingstop fundamentals. In markets outside the US, we tailor our expansion to keep regional consumers’ relevant preferences, needs and lifestyles top-of-mind.

A key focus will be broadening the Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific regional markets, where we see immense opportunity for our expanding our global reach. In the Middle East as an example, we are striving to amplify our presence in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. In the Greater Gulf Countries, we’ve identified significant potential, thanks to the rising affluence of some economies, high digital penetration and consumer behavior when it comes to using restaurants brands on and off premise basis through delivery and carry out. We are laser focused on strengthening our brand’s presence in these regions, and beyond, with likeminded partners. We seek to work in partnership with our brand partners to fortify our global mindset.

Nicolas Boudet

President, International Wingstop

Our growth is not slowing down anytime soon, which makes this a remarkable moment in time for Wingstop. We are looking to increase scale globally with organizations and individuals that are brand builders, world class operators, and well capitalized.

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FEATURE

MAXIMISING SALES OPPORTUNITIES WHAT THE FOOD AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY HAS LEARNED FROM THE PANDEMIC

W

hilst the devastating effects of Covid-19 on the foodservice and hospitality industry are not over yet, there are many lessons to be learned and shared from those food and beverage operators who have had to think positively, be agile and at all times remain hopeful that their food businesses will take on whatever changes necessary to survive and thrive.

Francis Loughran

Founder & Managing Director

Hospitality is about serving people and making them feel welcome – this will never change; if anything, the post-Covid diner is looking for great service more than ever before, coupled with a welcoming, vibrant, safe, hygienic, contactless, technology-enabled environment. People are not travelling overseas they have money to spend on eating out – and local restaurants and cafés are the benefactors of local spending.

4. Alfresco dining terraces added to shopping mall restaurants, cafes and business parks

What Consumers Want Today

5. Many countries are offering indoor dining for fully vaccinated patrons

According to Morning Consult, consumers are craving connection and want to come back to outdoor and indoor dining ‘66% of Americans feel comfortable dining out at restaurants.’ (Source: https://morningconsult.com/returnto-

6. Offering express menus – 60-minute 2-course lunch and dinner menus at a set price to encourage volume sales and more table turns

dining/ June 16, 2021)

Food operators all over the world know the downside of the pandemic, but it is now clear that in order to weather the storm of on-going lockdowns and new government regulations, operators must address the following three key factors – (1) social distancing, (2) hygiene and (3) technology. By understanding these critical factors, food businesses have developed a set of positives that allows them to maximise sale opportunities.

Maximising The Post-Pandemic Positives Many food operators have emerged from the pandemic with new revenue streams. Take outdoor dining – for many operators they will be permitted to keep their al fresco dining as a permanent fixture – an option that would never have been considered prior to the pandemic. In the US, 91% of limitedservice operators and 90% of full-service operators say they will continue offering customers expanded outdoor seating, if their jurisdiction continues to allow it after the coronavirus crisis is over. This trend is widespread globally; not only creates a safer dining environment for restaurants and cafés, but increases seating numbers in a controlled and socially distanced way.

Café and restaurants in high streets, shopping malls and throughout cities large and small are benefiting from the following revenue-generating activities, that are here to stay:

1. A comprehensive delivery service and paying competitive 3rd party provider rates 2. Contactless kerbside and pick-up service within malls – no customer delivery fees 3. Ghost kitchens reduce rent location and ease of access

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7. Extended restaurant trading hours in cities not known for early and late-night dining 8. Dining at home meal packages from reputable chefs and restaurants 9. Open-air venues e.g. pop-up food stalls in malls, business parks, restaurants and bars 10. Waterfront restaurants adding pontoon for additional seating numbers 11. Digital technology is one crucial half of reopening – the other is the staff and their wellbeing 12. Restaurants need to have design-driven solutions and be more adaptable with seating plans that expand and contract easily and quickly 13. Covid-19 has increased better hygiene and safe food handing in many food businesses Many larger hospitality groups and multisite franchise companies have developed disaster plans and are revising their financial modeling and cash reserves to weather any further pandemic storms. Food retailers are looking at regulatory protection regarding rent increases, predatory foreclosures and evictions.

The health experts say Covid-19 will not be our only pandemic; so, food service businesses need to be better prepared for future disruptions and be faster to act on staff, operational reductions and more adaptable with seating plans in the future.

Many of the lessons learned have been shared worldwide and will continue to develop and evolve as they innovative new ways of maximum sales and customer satisfaction within the hospitality industry.

WE ARE FOOD SPECIALISTS Not all food and hospitality projects are equal - Developing a food strategy that differentiates your project’s food and hospitality is crucial in driving foot traffic and maximising spend in an increasingly competitive F&B Market

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FOOD & HOSPITALITY CONSULTANTS TO SHOPPING MALLS futurefood.com.au

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Contact Francis Loughran on +61 418 586 149 or Floughran@futurefood.com.au

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FEATURE

The Changing Face of the UAE’s Retail Sector

T

he onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns saw demand plummet in the UAE’s retail sector. At the height of the pandemic, total visitor numbers for retail and recreation locations were estimated to be 64.7% below their pre-pandemic baseline, according to Google’s mobility data. Whilst we did see demand recover in the second half of 2020, for the full year, total visitor numbers were 29.3% below their pre-pandemic baseline, resulting in store-based retail sales falling by 9.4% over this period. Non-store retailing on the other hand, increased by 46.8% and as of 2020 accounted for 8.1% of total retail sales, up from 5.2% compared to a year earlier.

Anthony Spary

Director CBRE | Advisory & Transaction Services

Given this backdrop, it may not come as a surprise that the UAE’s retail sector, from both the landlord and occupier perspective, is facing some significant headwinds. However, these challenges do not stem solely from the pandemic, in fact, in most parts the pandemic was only the accelerator of existing shifts in market fundamentals.

Even prior to the pandemic, retailers in the UAE struggled due to sluggish economic growth and increased competition. In the five years to 2019, store-based retail sales only increased by 21.3% according to Euromonitor, compared to 34.9% for the five-year period to 2014. As a result, and amidst increasing levels of supply entering the market, occupancy levels and rental rates had seen compression across almost all segments since 2015. These trends were particularly prevalent amongst secondary assets, which traditionally lack strong demand drivers, such as quality entertainment or food and beverage facilities.

“with continuing

developments in supply and demand trends, we will see significant fragmentation in asset performance going forward.

”

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In an attempt to address anemic growth rates, we have seen retailers being able to adapt to new market realities, where they have become much more competitive in relation to both international and e-commerce benchmarks. In particular, certain categories, such as luxury and F&B have seen strong growth since the pandemic, benefitting from “in country” sales and revenge spending post the uncertainty that was temporarily imposed at the beginning of the pandemic. With such pivots by retailers expected to boost consumer demand, the UAEs recently promulgated 100% foreign ownership laws, are also beginning to attract a significant number of international retailers into the country. Forecasts show that in the five years to 2024, store-based sales in the UAE are expected to increase by 15.4% to AED 220.09 billion. Over this period, despite non-store retail’s 157.5% forecast growth rate, it will account for only 10.9% of total retail sales.

It is clear then, that bricks and mortar retail will continue to play a vital role in the UAE’s retail sector. However, with continuing developments in supply and demand trends, we will see significant fragmentation asset performance going forward.

Retail assets which offer suitable demand drivers, whether they are super-regional, regional or neighborhood in structure, will continue to attract demand and show relative levels of outperformance. Upcoming best in class assets such as Abu Dhabi’s Reem Mall and its swathe of new destination concepts and off-line and online retail integration will set new benchmarks. Secondary assets or assets whose offering has started to become dated, will now have to seriously consider repositioning their assets to remain competitive and viable. A core focus for such landlords will need to be around ensuring the tenant mix incorporates sufficient demand drivers and suitable core and periphery retailers, which will continue to attract consumers. The timing of enacting such strategies is key given rapid shifts we are seeing in both the supply and demand side of the equation, where undertaking off the cuff repositioning strategies is likely to be more detrimental than doing nothing at all.

CREATING COMMERCIAL ADVANTAGE Offering landlords, developers, global brands, and regional home grown concepts, with comprehensive strategic and execution solutions across the Middle East’s dynamic retail landscape.

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CBRE is the market leader for real estate consultancy services both globally and across the Middle East region. Operating in the region for over 15 years, CBRE has extensive experience providing dedicated retail services to support both regional and multi national clients with their real estate strategies.

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FEATURE

Develop Olfactive Experiences to Increase Profit

Y

our environment has a lot to do with how you feel, and how you feel has a lot to do with how productive you are. Neuroscientists across the globe have studied images of the brain in action and placed emotion in the driver’s seat, asserting that thinking is emotion-based, and while emotions form the basis of thoughts, the five senses – sight, sound, smell, taste and touch – fuel those emotions, wielding the power to persuade, relax and heal.

Emotions affect awareness, consideration, persuasion, recall, and loyalty in the marketplace, says Dan Hill, author of Emotionomics: Winning Hearts and Minds

(Adams Business & Professional, 2007)

Claire Boscq-Scott Keynote Speaker The BizShui Creator

author of the book “The Scent of Desire”, a smell is just a scent until a person associates it with a specific experience. After the association, the smell becomes a representation of that experience in the mind of the person.

Installing strategically aroma diffusion systems will help connect at an emotional level and generate an unforgettable sensory experience, it will: Improve the shopping experience Strengthens the positioning of your brand High brand fixation in memory by connecting emotionally

The sensory design has earned its place in high-end spas and resorts; but today, hospitals, airports, retail environments and corporate offices alike embrace the senses to forge brand identity while creating inviting environments.

One of the most powerful senses, smell, can trigger associations and draw upon fond memories of other smells. Customers’ olfactory sense will augment the customer experience; this is all part of the subconscious experience.

According to Rachel Herz, Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior and

Increased customers loyalty and repeat visits Positive perception of high-quality products or services Prolonged permanence of shoppers by 20% Boost employee performances and creativity Affect memory, concentration sustained attention and cognitive function Businesses should consider the power of this link and choose a smell that associates their experience with your brand. Why not create your own Olfactive signature fragrance? A couple of years ago, I created my own perfume: Eau d’abeille, it was a real sensorial experience, it is still now one of my biggest steps in growing my brand recognition. A Nike study indicated they increase the intent to purchase by 80% by the simple addition of a selected scent in their many stores. Consider how you can use smells to transport, transcend, and enhance your Employee and Customers’ Experience.

What does your Experience smell like? I challenge you to increase your customer loyalty and your employees’ productivity by using scents that in turn will create increase sales and profitability.

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FEATURE

Building your Brand and Staying Relevant Amid Evolving Market and Consumer Trends

W

e are in a time of constant change in terms of trends and customer expectations. Brands in any industry need to focus on staying relevant and evolve in a way that sets them on a higher level than their competitors.

This is easier said than done for many companies, especially that this entails adapting to current needs of customers, reinventing customer preferences by creating new categories, and ultimately positioning their brand as a trendsetter in their market of choice.

Knowing so, becoming the best brand may be an uphill battle for start-ups, and for those at the top, they must exert even more effort to remain the ‘king of the hill’. That is why top brands innovate and exercise a customer-centric approach and experience, along with an outsidethe-box mentality.

Whenever brands develop a plan or strategy, they must always put the customer at the center. This means that their product or service should meet the demands of the target market. If, in case customers do not see the need yet, it should become the brand’s priority to make people realize why they should avail of the product or service.

In addition, top brands also take careful note of their customers’ experience.

In fact, customer feedback is solicited after every transaction. This is because what the customers say regarding their experience will always play a huge role in the brand’s eventual position in the market. Their feedback also helps define the trend of a specific industry.

Toufic Kreidieh CEO & Co-Founder BFL Group

"Innovation and creativity are certainly important aspects in any business, but if the brand wants to stay ahead of the competition, they need to come up with sound expansion plans."

In the retail business, particularly in apparels, brands have many ways to keep abreast of present and emerging trends. There are several ways to keep the consumers up-todate with the latest trends, such as the new arrivals display, editorial photoshoots, and even through the support of social media influencers.

Aside from learning the trend, a company should also understand how to address the competition and strategize accordingly to establish its brand. For instance, in our group we implement out-of-the-box

concepts and strategies in recognition of the prevailing consumer trends. Our stores offer the ‘treasure hunt’ experience, wherein customers browse through the shop with an anticipative mood, which excites them to look for the best bargains. Knowing that the items may not be there forever, they would decide to purchase the item before others find the ‘treasure’ and buy it themselves.

They then leave the store happier with a branded item that they got for less.

Innovation and creativity are certainly important aspects in any business, but if the brand wants to stay ahead of the competition, they need to come up with sound expansion plans. As long as the company has the right tools and enough resources, catering to a larger market should become part of its end goal. For instance, our expansion plan for 2021 includes opening more than 10 stores in the UAE and further expanding its presence in Oman, Kuwait, and Malta. The group is also mulling over the possibility of entering the Saudi market this year as well.

Granted, maintaining brand relevance amid an ever-evolving market and consumer trends is a huge challenge for many, but those that know how to innovate, adapt, and expand, will reap the rewards as long as they establish their position with the end customers in mind. After all, the best brands belong to companies that maintain the trust and loyalty of their customers — this is the trend that will never go out of style.

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FEATURE

Building Community is Key to Retail Real Estate Success

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hopping centres have long served as important epicentres of commerce and community, but the industry faces unique

challenges today such as the continued rise of e-commerce and a long path to recovery from COVID-19. The pandemic brought about unprecedented changes that will have a lasting effect on how people live, work, and play.

Landlords worldwide are responding to these challenges and tenant and consumer demands by merging physical and digital aspects of property management. Through the adoption of technology that enhances the brand experience, increases engagement with stakeholders, and builds a sense of community, shopping centres can remain competitive in our ever-changing world.

Mikaela Lovlund Regional Director, Nordics & Middle East Mallcomm

Creating Community: How Malls Can Build an Engaged Customer Base Through Technology There is no better time than now for real estate leaders to invest in property technology. However, in order to unlock the value and realise the full potential of their assets, properties must put tenants and shoppers at the centre of the investment.

Developing a digital strategy for creating a sense of community should be facilitated with technology partners who are experts in the space.

Platforms like Mallcomm take a “space as a service” approach, putting tenants’ needs at the core, increasing collaboration, and allowing teams to achieve operational success together.

Gone are the days of supporting tenants with technology solely for collecting sales data. Mallcomm creates a unified purpose for tenants, centre employees, partners, and everyone who interacts with the location through centralised content and communication. It also provides tenants with access to data that adds value to their lease.

Exceeding Tenant Expectations In this rapidly evolving economy, tenant expectations about real estate are shifting. It’s no longer about price and location only - it’s about providing an experience they will sign up for a long term. All occupiers in a shopping centre, including retailers, restaurants, grocers, service providers, etc. need more help than ever to be successful.

However, a tenant-centric mindset requires effort and resources. Through centralised data, real-time updates, reporting, and promotional programming, Mallcomm provides insight-driven, innovative solutions to deliver experience, loyalty, increased sales, and measurable ROI.

Summary As consumers are increasingly looking for technologyenabled experiences in multiple aspects of their lives, shopping centres are no exception. What has become clear is that landlords and retailers need to work hand in hand to give shoppers a reason to return to malls. And, with tenants seeking access to data at their fingertips, technology solutions like Mallcomm can convert two-way communication to online channels, flipping the landlordtenant connection from transactional to relational.

This on-demand world has created a competitive environment where technology-driven solutions are a must for optimising operations and engaging with tenants in new, relationship-building ways. Through technology, landlords and property management teams can earn the trust and loyalty of their customers, in turn, ensuring their assets remain competitive.

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FEATURE

The Future of Retail: A Revolutionary and Sustainable Fashion Industry in an Eco-Friendly World

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he past eighteen months showed that we’re all connected — and that we all need to take bigger steps towards a more sustainable way of living, in harmony with every living thing on the planet. To tackle climate change, clean our waterways and landscapes, and avoid the next pandemic, we all need to become more sustainable and work together to cut our collective impact on the planet. To this end, a sustainable lifestyle is one that works towards and makes positive changes to reduce your overall environmental footprint. And the overall goal is to reduce your individual carbon emissions and to live in a way that genuinely cares for the planet, the people on it, and yourself too.

With the new norm post COVID-19, it is becoming all about sustainable development which is an organizing principle for meeting human development goals while simultaneously sustaining the ability of natural systems to provide the natural resources and ecosystem services on which the economy and society depend. The desired result is a state of society where living conditions and resources are used to continue to meet human needs without undermining the integrity and stability of the natural system.

Sustainable fashion inspired by natural cycles and processes is a model emphasized by the Power of Nature which is the industry looking into materials that have always been looked at as waste to make new clothing.

The materials that will mitigate negative impacts include vegan materials from the earth and recycling old fabric into new clothing.

According to figures from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), it takes 3,781 litres of water to make a pair of jeans, from the production of the cotton to the delivery of the final product to the store.

That equates to the emission of around 33.4 kilograms of carbon” 35 kg of CO2 = driving 120 km = the CO2 absorbed by 3 trees / 1 year”. Every year half a million tons of plastic microfibers are dumped into the ocean, equivalent to 50 billion plastic bottles and as mentioned before, 20-35% come from synthetic clothing. These microfibers cannot be easily extracted from the water and can spread throughout the food chain of marine wildlife.

Hany Alkholy

Managing Director - Middle East & Africa Multi Capital

Using organic materials, applying standards and organic methods on production and supply chain, naturally-coloured materials, eco-friendly natural dyes, digital and kornit printing, recycling and upcycling materials, packaging and shopping bags recyclable materials, energy-saving initiatives, managing and treating water waste are the major area of development for fashion sustainability that are considered by most of the topperforming brands shared with customers in a transparency business model. Accordingly, several accreditation and certification were globally recognized to measure safer and more sustainable products made for the circular economy.

In 2020, Fashion Revolution commissioned a survey of 5,000 people aged 16-75 in the five largest European markets namely Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The survey was conducted to learn about their shopping behaviour in the last twelve months and current views on some of fashion’s most pressing social and environmental issues.

Survey says: 69% of people say that they would like to know how their clothes were manufactured Majority of the people think that it is important that fashion brands have ethical (72%) and sustainability (80%) certifications.

49% are from age 18 – 24

The Generation Z and Millennials came out to support and drive the future of sustainable fashion brands and they are willing to pay a price to stay greener. In addition, gen z and millennials are about to become the largest consumer base in the global economy accounting for about 40% of global consumers this year. Gen Z and Millenials have the "spending power of $143 billion." Therefore, the future is looking bright for sustainability if the numbers of youngsters who are passionate about improving the world keep increasing.

Inditex Group has applied the Code of Conduct for Manufacturers and Suppliers. “Right to wear is how we do business at every stage; operating in a way that is right for customers, right for workers, right for communities and right for the environment”. The Executive Chairman announced that by 2025, 100% of the cotton, linen and polyester used by all eight of its brands will be organic, sustainable, or recycled.

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CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES

Gregory Vogt School For Retail Professionals E-Learning Program - Level 1 Course

Abdallah Omar Kussad

Abdelkader Chaabani

Emaar, The Economic City

Abdullah Aldakhil

Abdullah Jawad Al Khars

Unified Real Estate Development

Unified Real Estate Development

Adel Mahmoud Elrashedy

Ahmad E. Al Saadany

Ahmed Ismail

Ahmed Qaiser

Nakheel Malls

Al Futtaim Group Real Estate

Al Futtaim Group Real Estate

Dolmen Group

Ahmed Kamal Khan

Ahmed Kamal F. Gad

Ahmed Saeed Baghashwa

Akif Baqa

Dolmen Group

Modon Developments

Tanmiya Realty Development Co.

Dolmen Group

Amer H. Al Jraki

Ana Elvie Caparros

Anas Rehman

Asad Liaqat Butt

Unified Real Estate Development

Line Investments & Property LLC

Dolmen Group

Mall Of Muscat

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CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES

Gregory Vogt School For Retail Professionals E-Learning Program - Level 1 Course

Ashwini Jhunjhunwala

Awad Elsayed

Ayman Mohamed Gaber

Cheatan Koul FMP

Al Hamra Group

Saudi Bonyan Real Estate Investment Co

Kinan

AlJarwani Group

Christine Irish Sarmiento

Elna Barona Buhat

Enver Kalkan

Faeza Ameer

Urban Essentials FZE

Tanmiya Realty Development Co.

Majidi Mall Sulaimani - Iraq

Dolmen Group

Faizan Ahmed

Farhoud Chaparian

Farnaz Faraji

Fatma Sultan Al Khaled

Silkway

Tanmiya Realty Development Co.

Dolmen Group

Hany Abd El-Hamid

Hussam Dannouf

Hussein Ali Alyazeli

Jyoti Ann Jose

Hili Mall

Unified Real Estate Development

050telecom

Al Hamra Group

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CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES

Gregory Vogt School For Retail Professionals E-Learning Program - Level 1 Course

Kabir Malkani

Majdi Arwani

Mark Ayala Anoso

Marwan Fadel Kitmitto

Unified Real Estate Development

Unified Real Estate Development

Al Hamra Group

Michael Dizon David

Mohamad Issa Al Nehlawi

Mohamed Abdelkader Hussein Elgharbawi

Mohmad Taha Wani

Ezdan Shopping Malls

Bawabat Al Sharq Mall

Muhammad Danish

Muhammad Farooq Hussain Khan

Muthukrishnan Ramaswamy

Nancy Saade

Dolmen Group

Dolmen Group

Lulu Group International

Gulf Related

Naureen Altaf Khan

Osama Mukhtar

Rajkumar Badtya

Ramy Ellaboudy

Dolmen Group

Dolmen Group

Barka Grand Center

Unified Real Estate Development

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Al Hamra Group

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES

Gregory Vogt School For Retail Professionals E-Learning Program - Level 1 Course

Rana Atef Halim

Renita Hezil Pinto

Saad Hidayatullah

Saeed Akhtar Malik

Al Futtaim Group Real Estate

Tanmiya Realty Development Co.

Unified Real Estate Development

Dolmen Group

Sarah Ahmed Magdy

Sergio Zahr Talal

Shahzad Hassan Anwar

Shaikh Rashed Al Khalifa

Al Futtaim Group Real Estate

MANGO (PUNTO FA S.L)

Packages Construction (Pvt.) Ltd

Mall of Dilmunia

Shaukat Ali Khan

Tareq Ghassan Al Ghrawi

Varghese Philip

Yara Iwaz

Saudi Bonyan Real Estate Investment Co

Unified Real Estate Development

Manar Mall

Retail Consulting Group

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CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES

Gregory Vogt School For Retail Professionals E-Learning Program - Level 2 Course

Abdallah Omar Kussad

Ayman Mohamed Gaber

Enver Kalkan

Jason De Guzman

Emaar, The Economic City

Kinan

Majidi Mall Sulaimani - Iraq

Al Rugaib Holding

Kartik Pawani

Mohamad Issa Al Nehlawi

Mohamed Abdelkader Hussein Elgharbawi

Mohammed Zaki Uddin

Mohanlal Arjun Pawani & Co.

Bawabat Al Sharq Mall

Sarah City Capital Mall

December 6-7, 2021 Ritz Carlton Hotel DIFC, Dubai, UAE Sponsors & Exhibitors

Organized by the largest Retail Industry Association

WWW.RETAILCONGRESSMENA.COM hello@retailcongressmena.com

YEAR OF NEW OPPORTUNITIES

RETAIL CONGRESS MENA

Who can enter?

THE 2021 MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA SHOPPING CENTRE & RETaILERS AWARDS The Middle East and North Africa Shopping Centre and Retailer Awards are designed to honour outstanding achievements in retail, marketing, NOI enhancement, design and development of retail properties, retail and service excellence.

The Awards will be presented at the Retail Congress MENA 2021 on 7th December at the Ritz Carlton Hotel DIFC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Entries can be submitted by shopping centre owners, developers, retailers management companies, architects and designers and service providers.

how to submit an entry All entries must be submitted online at www.retailcongressmena.com/ awards. Each submission must include a completed entry. Forms with incomplete entries will not be judged.

entry fee USD 595 + 5% VAT (Member) USD 695 + 5% VAT (Non-member)

submission deadline WWW.RETAILCONGRESSMENA.COM/AWARDS lea@mecsc.org

All entries must be submitted and paid by Thursday, 23rd September 2021

tHE 2021 mIDDLE eAST & nORTH aFRICA sHOPPING cENTRE & RETAILER AWARDS

CATEGORY 1 TRADITIONAL MARKETING

CATEGORY 2

- MARKETING/ SPONSORSHIP - OPERATIONS / OVERALL TEAM - LEASING

-

ADVERTISING CAUSE RELATED MARKETING CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE DIGITAL / SOCIAL GRAND OPENING, EXPANSION & RENOVATION - NEW / EMERGING TECHNOLOGY - PUBLIC RELATIONS

CATEGORY 3

-

NOI ENHANCEMENT

DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT

- NEW DEVELOPMENTS - RENOVATIONS / EXPANSIONS - RETAIL STORE DESIGN

CATEGORY 4

CATEGORY 7

RETAIL EXCELLENCE

SERVICE EXCELLENCE

Fashion Children’s Wear G o l d , J e w e l l e r y, a n d W a t c h e s Footwear and Accessories Sportswear and Goods P h a r m a c y, H e a lt h a n d B e a u t y Home and Office Furnishing Kiosks E n t e r ta i n m e n t, M u s i c a n d Leisure Bank and Financial Services Fast Food Restaurants Luxury Theme Park CATEGORY 5 Cinema BEST MENA RETAIL BRAND

- Property Management Software - D ata A n a ly t i c s - Technology Innovation - Decor & Design Installation - M e r c h a n d i s i n g D i s p l ay - R e ta i l C o n s u lta n cy Service

CATEGORY 6 RETAIL PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

WWW.RETAILCONGRESSMENA.COM/AWARDS lea@mecsc.org

Giordano International Expects Solid Turnaround in 2021

Apparel retailer Giordano International has shed further light on its dramatic turnaround through a supplemental positive profit alert and subsequent operations update for the second quarter of 2021.

According to the supplemental profit alert, which was published on Friday, 16th July, the Hong Kong-listed multinational retailer confirmed that it expects to post a profit of at least HK$50 million (US$6.4 million) in the interim, a significant improvement on the $175 million ($22.5 million) loss for the same period just a year ago.

“The turnaround from loss to profit was primarily due to the double-digit sales increase on the relaxation of social-distancing measures, an improved gross margin, the reduction in the group’s operating expenses, the decrease in impairment loss on right-ofuse assets and property, plant and equipment as compared to the HK$71 million impairment made for the corresponding period ended June 30, 2020,” said Chairman and CEO, Dr. Peter Lau.

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The fashion group’s operations update for the second quarter, published on 22nd July, further revealed that its Taiwan and Indonesia markets had shown particular promise, until Covid-19 related lockdowns in those markets, which took place in early May and June, temporarily curbed the growth.

That said, it is reported that Taiwan’s sales are trending up once again, with Giordano Middle East’s sizeable business also surging after Ramadan.

It also appears that Giordano’s ongoing efforts behind the scenes are paying off. Over the last two years, the group has successfully reduced its overheads, while putting in place its plans to drive the growth of its online business, its franchise business in emerging markets and to roll-out of new clothing lines.

The group’s operations update confirmed that its online business grew by 12.5% yearon-year, while its corporate news section revealed the signing of new franchisees in various African markets and Central Asia, and recently opened markets, such as Mauritius,

saw a consistent increase in store numbers, even during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mark Loynd, Executive Director of Giordano International who drives the retailer’s overseas market development alongside Managing Director of Giordano Middle East, Ishwar Chugani, said, “We have been using our time wisely during the pandemic, actively turning threats into opportunities. The pandemic has had a profound effect on consumers generally, who have become much more grounded and their expectations of the brands they support have also changed significantly. We have been afforded the chance to speak with potential partners and explain why, as a brand, Giordano will resonate with their customers more than ever before”. He continued, “The pandemic has also allowed us to work on new offerings, such as our simple, yet stylish G-Motion and Silvermark athleisure collections, which arrives at a time of heightened awareness about health and wellbeing, and compliments work-from-home culture”.

Giordano International’s interim results will be published in early to mid-August, 2021.

UAE Economic Recovery Gaining Momentum, says Standard Chartered The UAE’s economic recovery is gaining momentum due to the rapid administration of the Covid-19 vaccine and hosting of Expo 2020 Dubai, according to a new report released on Sunday.

“Almost 80% of the UAE’s population has now been fully vaccinated, and over 85% of the vulnerable population. This has allowed the economy to remain largely open, even though new cases persist. The recent surge in the Delta variant in key tourism markets including the UK and India may weaken near-term growth performance. However, Dubai’s hosting of the delayed Expo 2020 in October is likely to boost economic momentum in Q3,” Standard Chartered said in a new report.

Interestingly, Capital Economics also noted that the Delta variant poses a bigger threat to non-Gulf economies than the oil exporting GCC countries.

“That’s good news for the Gulf countries which, for the most part, have achieved high levels of vaccine coverage. Some restrictions may still be tightened to curb outbreaks – Abu Dhabi reintroduced some measures to coincide with Eid al-Adha. But, in general, containment

measures will lie towards the softer end of the spectrum and inflict little economic damage,” Capital Economics said.

It said the Gulf economies are likely to lead the region’s economic recovery over the next few years.

Standard Chartered noted that even if the target of 25 million visitors for Expo 2020 is not

met, the event should still drive a substantial recovery in the tourism sector.

“We expect the UAE’s recovery to gain momentum in the second half of 2021,” Standard Chartered analysts said, adding that the UAE’s real GDP is projected to grow 2.5% in 2021, 3.0% for 2022 and 3.5% for the next year.

Source: Khaleej Times (https://bit.ly/3xa5ewG)

Lulu Group’s Yusuf Ali Appointed Vice Chairman of Abu Dhabi Chamber Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, recently issued a resolution to form a new board of directors for the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI).

The body will be chaired by Abdullah Mohamed Al-Mazrouei and prominent Indian businessman Yusuf Ali M.A. as the Vice Chairman.

ADCCI is the apex governing body of all businesses established in Abu Dhabi and functions as an effective bridge between the government and business sector. Each of the business establishments in Abu Dhabi, one of the wealthiest and most influential economic hubs in the region, must be licensed by the ADCCI. Lulu opens Hypermarket in Dubai's Waterfront Market. Image used for illustrative purpose.

Lulu Group/Handout via Zawya

Ali, the Chairman of retail giant LuLu Group, is the only Indian on the 29-member board, which is primarily made up of Emirati business owners and CEOs.

economy and the larger business community, especially in these challenging times,” Ali said.

“This is truly a very humbling and proud moment in my life. My sincere gratitude to the visionary leadership of this great country; I will strive to do my best toward justifying the great responsibility entrusted upon me. My primary focus will be toward the growth of Abu Dhabi’s

Al-Nahyan recently honored Ali with the Abu Dhabi Award, the highest civilian honor for his almost five-decade long contributions in the fields of economic development and philanthropy. The LuLu chairman was the only Indian along with other 11 prominent

personalities, which included nine UAE nationals, to receive the honor this year. The Abu Dhabi Awards — an initiative of the Abu Dhabi government — recognize and honor individuals who have selflessly dedicated themselves to support and contribute to the development of the emirate. Source: Zawya (https://bit.ly/3rFZ9qD)

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Saudi Arabia to Reopen to Foreign Tourists from August 1 Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Tourism has announced that the kingdom will open its doors to foreign tourists from August 1 following a ban related to the global coronavirus pandemic.

Fully vaccinated tourists can enter the kingdom without the need for an institutional quarantine period, provided that an official vaccination certificate is presented upon arrival, and proof of a PCR test with its negative result within 72 hours from the time of departure, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Visitors are also required to register their data related to vaccination doses via a new electronic portal, in addition to registering their data via the Tawakkalna appl, which is mandatory to enter public places.

Approved vaccinations for entry into Saudi Arabia include two doses of Pfizer, AstraZeneca or Moderna, or one dose of Johnson & Johnson.

Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, said in comments published by SPA: “We welcome tourists again, and we are very happy to receive the kingdom’s guests again after a pause due to the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We focused our efforts during the pause on close cooperation with our partners in all sectors to ensure a safe return through which visitors to the kingdom can enjoy exploring its tourist treasures, important destinations and

landmarks, enjoy unique tourist experiences and learn about the culture of generosity and hospitality characterising Saudi society.”

Source: Arabian Business (https://bit. ly/3zUmt78)

Expand Summit to Attract Venture Capitalists for Financing Startups Dubai Chamber for Digital Economy, one of the three chambers under the newly formed Dubai Chambers umbrella, will be hosting Expand Summit, the first-of-its-kind summit in the region in January 2022 to attract Venture Capitalists (VCs) for financing start-ups.

The Summit will witness the largest gathering of VCs and start-ups in the region, with 500 VCs and 1000 tech start-ups expected to participate over the two-day programme which will include events, seminars, presentations, demos, pitches and meetings.

It will host some of the most prestigious and well-known venture capital firms and leaders around the world with the aim to build a network of dedicated international and local relationships with entrepreneurs, technology companies and specialised funding agencies, in order to help start-ups and entrepreneurs transform their creative ideas.

The Summit will be held during Expo 2020 Dubai, and will be organised in coordination with Expo 2020 Dubai, Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai Future Foundation, and Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, and is expected to witness a wide participation that reflects the regional and

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Omar Sultan Al Olama, Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy

global interest in investing in Dubai in the field of the digital economy.

doubling the number of digital companies operating in the emirate in the coming years.”

Omar Sultan Al Olama, Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy said: “The Summit will serve as a catalyst to help Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy achieve its goal of accelerating the growth of Dubai’s digital economy and

He further remarked, “This Summit will be an ideal platform to engage start-ups and investors in a dialogue which will be beneficial for the growth of Dubai’s digital economy.”

Source: Arabian Business (Read More: https:// bit.ly/3ldZrE7)

EXPO 2020 Dubai: Emirates Offers Complimentary Day Pass to Travellers

With Expo 2020 Dubai just about three months away, Emirates Airline, Dubai’s flagship carrier, is offering complimentary day passes to passengers for ‘The World’s Greatest Show.’

Passengers who fly with the airline to Dubai between October 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022, will get one pass for each person for Expo 2020. Passengers, who are flying through Dubai too can avail the opportunity, if their connection in Dubai is more than six hours.

“If you're flying with us to Dubai between 1 October 2021 and 31 March 2022, we’re giving

you one complimentary Expo 2020 day pass for each person in your booking. Use your ticket to enjoy Expo 2020 on any day you choose,” Emirates Airline said on its website.

Expo 2020 Dubai tickets went on sale worldwide on July 18, ahead of the opening of the six-month-long mega event on October 1, 2021.

“Just passing through? If your connection in Dubai is more than six hours, you can still claim a free Expo 2020 day pass. To claim your pass, enter the details for each passenger below and we’ll email the tickets to you. If your flight gets changed or cancelled your day pass will no longer be valid, so simply claim a new one by entering your new flight details. View the full terms and conditions,” the airline added.

Categorised into three tiers, one-day tickets are priced at Dh95 ($26); multi-day tickets, offering unrestricted entry for 30 consecutive days, are priced at Dh195 ($53), and season passes, with unlimited entry for the entire six months of Expo 2020, are priced at Dh495 ($135). Source: Khaleej Times (https://bit. ly/3yl8KWs)

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Nakheel Opens New Community Pavilion at Nad Al Sheba Nakheel, the world-leading master developer, is expanding its retail portfolio with Nad Al Sheba Pavilion, a new shopping and leisure destination at the Nad Al Sheba Villas community.

Spanning more than 36,426 sq. ft, the Pavilion features key retailers such as Spinneys, Starbucks and leading beauty salon Bedashing Beauty, all of which have opened on 15 July.

The development will also include facilities such as a swimming pool and a gym to complement the community’s five-kilometre jogging and cycling track.

Omar Khoory, Chief Assets & Hospitality Officer Nakheel, said: “We are delighted to launch our Pavilion at Nad Al Sheba Villas, highlighting our commitment to bringing new facilities and attractions to our communities across Dubai. The Pavilion offers a new hub for shopping, keeping fit and socialising at Nakheel’s newest community.”

Nakheel Malls also operates Pavilions located across six other Nakheel residential communities: Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Islands, International City, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan Pavilion and Badrah.

From L-R: Andre Viljoen, Chief Property Officer, Spinneys | Omar Khoory, Chief Assets & Hospitality Officer, Nakheel | Sunil Kumar, CEO, Spinneys | Ali Bwardy, Chairman, Spinneys

Dubai-based King Group Hospitality Expands Portfolio That Will Boost UAE's Dh55 bn Foodservices Sector King Group Hospitality, a Dubai-based international hospitality brand engaged in food services and retail sector, is all set to expand its chain of restaurants in the UAE and Thailand, that will help expand the UAE’s US$15 billion (Dh55 billion) food services sector.

King Group Hospitality (KGH), which owns Amritsr chain of restaurants, currently operates five outlets – two in the UAE and three in Thailand. These restaurants are located in Al Nahda and Al Karama in Dubai and two outlets in Bangkok’s popular tourist spot Sukumvit and one in Phukhet.

KGH is all set to launch its new chain of restaurants – a completely new dining concept that will change the way families eat out – and will help the industry expand.

The total number of operational restaurants and cafes in Dubai reached 11,813 at the end of 2018, according to the Business

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Registration and Licensing (BRL) sector in the Department of Economic Development (DED), Dubai.

“Although the sentiments are down due to COVID-19 pandemic, I believe, this is the right time to start new concepts that will thrive once the pandemic gets over,” says Vicky M. Sethi, Managing Director of KGH and a serial entrepreneur, who had launched and popularised Kulcha King, before selling it off to a group of investors.

“Our current flagship restaurants under Amritsr branding, has been doing well, despite the pandemic. More and more people now eat out, especially those who can’t travel due to COVID-19. They are spending their spare budget in staycation and eating out. So, there is a steady flow of business, and this summer will not be a quiet summer for the restaurants.” Source: Zawya (Read Full Article - https://bit.ly/3iYgvv6 )

Rivoli Group Announces OMEGA Olympics 2020 Launch on Burj Khalifa

Rivoli Group, the exclusive distributor and retailer for the OMEGA brand in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman announced the grand launch of the Olympics 2020 campaign of OMEGA in the region, which took place on July 23rd on the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The launch took place on the official opening day of the Olympic Games in Tokyo as an ode to its 90 years of timekeeping experience with the Olympics.

OMEGA is the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games for the 29th time in history, and as the team in charge of time, OMEGA will measure every race in microseconds and track all the athletic performances using state-of-the-art motion sensor technology.

The brand will also bring its wealth of timekeeping experience to the new Olympic Games sports including karate, sport climbing and surfing.

Recording Olympic dreams requires expert timekeepers, dedicated volunteers and a mountain of technology: 400 tonnes of

timekeeping equipment, 350 sport-specific scoreboards, 85 public scoreboards and 200 kilometers of cables and optical fibre.

Clearly thrilled that Tokyo 2020 is finally underway, OMEGA President and CEO Mr. Raynald Aeschlimann described the timekeepers as “distinguished representatives of the brand” referring to the team as “ambassadors, who work tirelessly before, during and after every event, to ensure the athletes are justly served and OMEGA’s reputation for excellence is maintained and enhanced”.

OMEGA chose the iconic Burj Khalifa to launch their campaign in this market because of the unmistakable association between the tallest building in the world and the very essence of what all Olympians aspire to accomplish i.e. of achieving the impossible by pushing limits.

The video lit up the Burj Khalifa in the Olympic colors on the 23rd of July while

marking OMEGA’s historic association with the sport since 1932. The dynamic visuals were enthralling to see and the experience resonated with the heights of greatness that the Olympic Games sports represents.

Ramesh Prabhakar, Vice Chairman and Managing Partner of the Rivoli Group added, “As the exclusive representatives of the OMEGA brand in this market, we are very proud to partner with OMEGA to kick-start their Olympics 2020 campaign in this region.

The brand historically always launches a series of special watches during the Olympics which the Rivoli Group watch clientele look forward to and this year to commemorate their association with the sport, OMEGA has once again produced a full range of special watches under the Seamaster collection which are available at all OMEGA boutiques and leading Rivoli watch stores across UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.” Source: UAE News 247 (https://bit.ly/3f7lYP8)

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Air Jordan Concept Store Opens in The Dubai Mall

of Zegna Group, was quoted as saying by the Financial Times. The 111-year-old family-owned Zegna will raise $880 million following the deal to further invest in its menswear business and fund its future acquisitions, the company said. Source: The National (https://bit.ly/3kE4WM1)

Burberry’s Sales Rebound to Pre-Pandemic Levels as Younger Shoppers Pile In

A brand new concept by Nike, the 2,500 square foot space stocks one label only – Jordan Brand,

by NBA legend Michael Jordan. From the latest kicks to clothing and sports goods, it is a haven for basketball fans and sneakerheads alike. A stand-alone store, it has been envisioned as an experiential space and boasts interactive digital elements, as well as a dedicated in-store pickup point. To mark the Middle East launch, Nike commissioned several artists, including SyrianAmerican artist Jason Seife, to create unique artworks for space. “It's exciting to see the line between design and art-making continue to blur thanks to projects like this,” says Seife about the collaboration. “Between artists like myself and Jordan Brand, we can create in-store experiences that highlight the products alongside the art, helping connect this cool relationship among artwork, inspiration and product excellence.”

Source: The National (https://bit.ly/3roTfKz)

Italian Fashion House Zegna to go Public in $3.2bn SPAC Deal

ThredUP Eyes European Expansion With Remix Acquisition

Luxury British fashion house Burberry said retail sales rose above pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of its fiscal year. The increase was driven by new, younger customers attracted to the brand’s savvy marketing campaigns with stars such as model Kendall Jenner and England footballer Marcus Rashford. Burberry, which is hunting for a replacement for departing Chief Executive Marco Gobbetti, said strong growth in trench coats and handbags caused retail revenue for the 13 weeks to June 26 to rise 86%, to £479 million ($661.4 million), with comparable shop sales climbing 90% compared with the same period last year and up 1% on 2019 figures. Mr Gobbetti, who joined the company in 2017, said despite the “continuing challenging external environment”, the company has made an “excellent start to the new fiscal year".

Source: The National (https://bit.ly/3hSU1MH)

Bed Bath & Beyond to open redesigned NYC flagship

Ermenegildo Zegna, the Italian luxury fashion house, plans to go public by merging with a US special-purpose acquisition corporation launched by the European private equity group Investindustrial Acquisition. The deal will value Zegna at $3.2 billion following its listing on the New York Stock Exchange later this year, Investindustrial said in a statement on Monday.

Milan-based Zegna will own 62 per cent of the combined company, which is being given an equity value of $2.5bn, the statement added. “We could have remained independent for another 100 years. But the moment is appropriate and the world has changed a lot and luxury has become very challenging,” Gildo Zegna, Chief Executive

RETAIL PEOPLE . JUL - SEP 2021 .48

of transforming itself into a digital-first, "omnialways" retailer, according to CEO Mark Tritton.

To that end, the retailer is enhancing the store experience through its mobile app, which features an "in-store shopping mode" that consumers can enable to better navigate the space, view product information and create registries. The retailer on Wednesday also introduced a "scan and buy" feature, allowing customers to skip the traditional checkout line to complete a purchase. Source: Retail Dive (https://bit.ly/3x254aH)

Online resale platform, thredUP, has acquired European fashion resale company, Remix, in an effort to fuel its growth and expand its reach into the European market. “We’ve long admired thredUP’s leadership in the United States and their dedication to building a mission-driven company that makes it easy to buy and sell secondhand,” said Lyubomir Klenov, CEO of Remix. “Together, I believe we can build upon Remix’s core operational engine, technology, and logistics to bring that scalable experience to the European market, where resale has only scratched the surface.” The news comes at a time when resale platforms are continuing to show an upward growth trajectory, especially as eco-friendly and sustainable shopping choices are becoming favorable amongst consumers. In 2020, the secondhand market was estimated to be worth $21 billion and is expected to grow to $39 billion by 2025. Source: Retail Bum (Read More: https://bit.ly/3xdgjgI)

Armani Sees Sales Grow by 34 Percent

When Bed Bath & Beyond rolled out its threeyear turnaround plan last year, store remodels were a key pillar. For years, analysts have criticized how the retailer's cluttered stores have negatively impacted the consumer shopping experience, which Bed Bath & Beyond itself acknowledged. As part of its turnaround plan, Bed Bath & Beyond is spending $250 million to remodel 450 of its stores over the next three years to modernize the in-store shopping experience and further bolster its goals

Giorgio Armani saw its sales improve by 34% in the first half of 2021, with business in China and the U.S. helping the company recover from its pandemic losses. The Italian luxury brand saw its

net sales decline by 25% last year to $1.6 billion, down from $1.9 billion, with initial lockdowns and other challenges in the early pandemic days causing the most loss. Last year, the company’s consolidated net profit stood at $105.9 million, while operating losses reached $34.1 million. “The drop in revenues in 2020 should be read not only as a consequence of the pandemic… but also in line with Giorgio Armani’s own strategic principle of ‘less is more,'” Armani’s Deputy Managing Director Giuseppe Marsocci said. While the company does not expect sales to fully recover until next year, it remains bullish on its future growth prospects as positive sales trends between January and June 2021 are indicative of profitability in the remaining two quarters this year. Source: Retail Bum (https:// bit.ly/3x6lqzc)

Rue21 is Opening 15 Stores in 2021

Dubai’s flagship carrier Emirates Airlines is expecting to receive an average of 20,000 to 30,000 visitors every month from the United States during the Dubai Expo 2020, a top official with the airline has said. Emirates Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim said: “Emirates has already recovered 50% of the pre-pandemic tourism numbers from the United States and has welcomed bookings from 14,000 tourists in the last two months.” He added: “The US is expected to play a key role during the Expo Dubai, and based on the trends we are seeing today, we expect 20,000 to 30,000 tourists from the United States each month during the Expo. We are looking at building our capacity from the US and our objective is to make that happen as quickly as possible.” Pre- pandemic, Emirates was ferrying 55,000 tourists from the United States into the UAE every month, explained Kazim while speaking to the media ahead of Emirates launching its firstever passenger service to Florida, Miami. The maiden flight EK213 from Dubai to Miami took off at 3am on Thursday. Source: Khaleej Times (https://bit.ly/2UMY3xy)

Walmart Dropping $1 a Day Fee For Employees' College Degrees

Gen Z apparel retailer Rue21 landed double-digit growth in 2020, spurring "aggressive" investments in the company's physical and digital channels.

"Recent new store openings have demonstrated the importance of our store channel to brand discovery and customer acquisition," CEO Bill Brand said in a statement. "Our dynamic in-store experiences have driven customer loyalty and is our model for continued omnichannel growth." Locations were selected based on a data-driven model to match potential stores with customer demographics. Field teams visited each site prior to approval of each new store, according to the company. The openings are part of an eventful year for the retailer. About nine months ago the company named Brand, the former president of HSN, as the company's CEO, who called Rue21 "one of the most compelling, yet under the radar brands in the U.S." Source: Retail Dive (https:// bit.ly/3i69IAj)

Expo 2020 Dubai: Up to 30,000 visitors expected every month from US

Uniqlo Takes Over Superdry’s London Flagship

The parent company of Uniqlo, Fast Retailing Group has signed a letting for the former Superdry store on Regent Street. The store is expected to sell a mixture of both Theory and Uniqlo clothing.

The contemporary fashion brand Theory launched in New York in 1997 and at the end of February 2021, it holds 436 stores worldwide. The Japanese fashion retailer’s other brands, including US-based denim brand J Brand, could also be sold in the store, property sources said. The store is expected to open later this year although the exact date is not yet known. Last month Superdry closed the doors to its Regent Street flagship store, which first opened in 2011. The retailer is currently considering several locations in the capital, including Forever 21’s former flagship store on Oxford Street, which was forced to closed last year after the retailer filed for administration in the UK. Source: Retail News Asia (https://bit.ly/379dnHf)

North Dakota Town Offers $1M To Company That Will Put An Aquarium In Its Mall

NEW YORK- Walmart Inc on Tuesday said it will pay the full cost of college tuition and books for its roughly 1.5 million full and part-time employees, effective Aug. 16. The largest private U.S. employer said it will drop the current $1 a day fee paid by associates at Walmart and its subsidiary Sam's Club. Consumer demand is soaring as the U.S. economy reopens from the COVID-19 pandemic, deepening a national labor crunch.

Employers are adding benefits and boosting wages as they struggle to find and keep enough workers, particularly in retail and restaurants.

Nearly 28,000 employees have been active in Walmart's educational programs this summer alone and 8,000 have graduated since it began in 2018 to offer college degrees, skills training and other certificate programs, the company said.

The company also said Tuesday its educational offerings are tied to its growth areas, and that it will add programs in business administration, supply chain and cybersecurity. Source: Zawya (https://bit.ly/3x57Z2d)

A town in North Dakota lost its 100,000 sq ft.

Kmart, but it aims to hold on to the Grand Cities Mall where the store closed. The City Council of Grand Forks—home of the University of North Dakota--this week agreed to grant a subsidy of as much as $1 million to have a SeaQuest aquarium placed in 17,000 sq. ft. of the space vacated by Kmart. “We really believe that we would be the number one destination in Grand Forks,” SeaQuest CEO Vince Covino told council members, according to a report in the Grand Forks Herald.

The annual economic impact of the aquarium could add up to $15 million, Covino said, a figure at which he arrived by multiplying his business’s $3 million to $4 million yearly gross revenue by a factor of five to eight—a formula derived from its other operations. Source: CSA (Read More: https:// bit.ly/3iULmIQ)

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