WELCOME REMARKS

Redefining Open Market Shopping Experience

Featuring:

P14 The Clock Towers Shopping Center

The Largest Retail Complex in Makkah

"I believe Souq7 will become one of the retail destinations in Jeddah that will serve as an incubator for innovative, emerging brands, enabling them to expand to the regional market and beyond."

P26 MARIE FRANCE The Brand of the Future Sharpens its Focus P33 Al Hokair Group To Open the First CoComelon FEC

ON THE COVER

MECS+R Chairman Dubai, UAE

MECS+R Board President Saudi Arabia

CEO, SOLO MECS+R Board Vice President

CEO & Founder CELS Group MECS+R Board Member

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

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

Manager, Property Management SEEF Properties MECS+R Board Member

Senior Manager - Leasing Nakheel Malls MECS+R Board Member

The retail real estate industry is a significant part of building communities, it helps fuel up the economy and keeps inspiring innovation. Throughout the centuries, shopping centres and retail has evolved remarkably compared to the first retail offerings of open-air markets, bazaars, and the Agora of the 10th Century BC. To this day, more and more shopping centres are being built. Mall owners and developers may have different offerings to their tenants and consumer, but one thing is common – to remain focused on what and why consumers will always come to visit their malls. Satisfying the need to connect with people, and exchange goods and services will never change.

Time flies so fast, we are now in our 4th quarter. Speaking about malls, it will surely be filled with shoppers as the festive season is coming up. Here on our 4th quarter edition of the Retail People Magazine, we are delighted to welcome Majid Algothmi, Executive Director, AZAD Properties as our Featured Cover and Cover Story with the theme “Redefining Open Market Shopping

In this edition, we are privileged to feature Majid where he mentioned their latest offering, Souq7, which will be launched later this year. Souq7, developed by AZAD Properties, will answer the retail needs of Jeddah’s growing population in the Southeastern part of the city by delivering enjoyable, accessible, safe shopping and dining destinations, which combines a modern lifestyle with contemporary traditional design. This will become one of the retail destinations in Jeddah that will serve as an incubator for innovative, emerging brands, enabling them to expand the regional market and beyond.

This Q4 edition is filled with great articles from our Shopping Centre Update where we featured The Clock Towers Shopping Center in Makkah, Rahmania Mall – the high culture of convenient shopping experience and Al Wahda Mall wherein AlBaik will open the largest branch in the UAE. In addition, we have articles on Open-Air Shopping Centres Experience, the fun way to go and Open Markets – a Forgotten Shopping Concept.

With this issue, we also explore Riyadh Retail Market, The Kingdom of Construction and from Saudi we move to Oman where it highlights New Retail is Not Just About Shopping. We also featured retail brands such as Marie France, Orange Bed & Bath, Magrabi, Semir Group from China and Al Hokair Group. This issue is filled with lots of information and great insights on data support and technology, gift card, e-commerce, franchising, and a lot more.

We also have a special segment about the Green Initiative for Creating Community in Shopping Centres in response to the Saudi Arabian Government’s Vision 2030.

This RPM Q4 would not have been possible without our astounding sponsors and contributors. We would like to thank AZAD Properties & Souq7, Times Square Center Dubai, Marie France, Yardi, Vindico and all our contributors.

We are inviting you to come and join us as we celebrate our 28th year Retail Congress MENA happening on December 5-6, 2022 at the Ritz Carlton DIFC Hotel, Dubai, UAE. It will be a great time of gathering together and welcoming all the sponsors, exhibitors, delegates and visitors in this year’s RCM REBORN. There’s a reason to rejoice and be grateful for staying agile and resilient amidst the pandemic.

Once again, thank you and we hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we have loved putting it together.

Chief Executive Officer MECS+R

Board President MECS+R