The region’s first-ever standalone Disney Store opens doors at The Avenues in Kuwait

Region’s first standalone Disney Store opens in Kuwait

Located at the Avenues in Kuwait, the occasion was highlighted with an array of magical festivities and giveaways for little ones, transporting guests to the wonderful world of Disney.

Eyewear retailer eyewa opens 50 stores in 2 years across GCC

Eyewear retailer eyewa opens 50 stores in 2 years across GCC

Eyewa entered the physical retail space less than two years ago with the opening of its first store in Mall of Dhahran in Saudi Arabia in December 2020

GCC retail sector will see 15.7% YoY growth, according to Alpen Capital

GCC retail sector will see 15.7% YoY growth, according to Alpen Capital

The industry is expected to further grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7 per cent by 2026, says Alpen Capital’s latest retail sector report

Online sales to get a boost during football season: TikTok reedseer

World Cup, Black Friday to boost online retail in MENA region to $8.4bn, predict Redseer, TikTok

According to the report, with offline sales included, the overlap of the football season with Black Friday will present a massive $70bn opportunity for the retail sector in the MENA region

ADNOC Distribution

ADNOC Distribution reports 39% rise in nine-month net profit

The company’s non-fuel transactions increased by 18 per cent during the period

Talabat launches first quick-commerce-as-a-service (Q-CAAS) store

Talabat launches first quick-commerce-as-a-service (Q-CAAS) store

This came after a six-month trial was successfully completed in partnership with Aswaaq retail

LuLu opens new Hypermarket in Saudi Arabia's Saihat

Lulu opens new hypermarket in Saudi Arabia’s Saihat

Between 2020 and 2023, Lulu Group is planning to open 91 hypermarkets as part of its $2.9bn investment in its retail network

Shopping trends in UAE and MENA ahead of Black Friday sales

Shopping trends in UAE and MENA ahead of Black Friday sales

According to Google’s internal data, Black Friday sales are most sought after by consumers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, compared to Brazil, the UK and the US

Mall of the Emirates digital concierge service

Mall of the Emirates launches Digital Concierge service, WhatsApp shopping

Customers can purchase from 350 brands, including luxury designers via the mall’s Digital Concierge website and WhatsApp chat feature

Joe & The Juice

Danish café chain ‘Joe & The Juice’ launches in Dubai, opens three outlets

UAE is set to welcome ten health-conscious ‘Joe & The Juice’ stores and cafes by 2024 

Pret A Manger enters Middle East, opens first shop in Kuwait

Pret A Manger expands in Middle East, opens first shop in Kuwait

Popular UK-based food and coffee chain opens at Al Hamra Tower, in partnership with Kuwait-based franchise group One PM

Emirates Post

Emirates Post launches new kiosks in major shopping malls in Dubai

Customers can avail of services such as post office box registration and collecting or sending shipments at the kiosks

SAUDI-ARABIA-alcohol

Saudi retail enablement company Zid raises $50m in Series B funding

The proceeds will be used by Zid to expand into new markets in Saudi Arabia and in the region

Cover story: UAE-based businessman Ghassan Aboud on how a sound diversification strategy drives growth

In an exclusive interview, chairman and founder of Ghassan Aboud Group explains why success is only sustainable if it is inclusive

TOMS 10X10

Retail brand TOMS gives 10 $10,000 grants to 10 mental health-focused organisations

The LightHouse Arabia in the UAE is one of the 10 organisations selected by TOMS to receive the grants it awarded to mark World Mental Health Day

Danube Home unveils 'My Garden 2023 e-Catalogue'

Danube Home unveils ‘My Garden 2023 e-Catalogue’

The theme of the Danube Home e-catalogue this year is ‘From Dream to Reality’ showcasing well-curated products for all kinds of outdoor spaces

Falguni Nayar Founder and CEO Nykaa and Ms Sima Ved Founder and Chairperson Apparel Group

Apparel Group, Nykaa partner to set up omnichannel beauty retail platform in GCC

Nykaa will build on the Apparel Group’s retail infrastructure networks to provide GCC-focused beauty offerings

Lab grown diamond Evermore flagship boutique

Region’s only ‘lab-grown diamond’ brand opens boutique in Dubai

Evermore’s boutique is now open in the new Deira gold souq extension in Dubai

Hani Weiss Majid Al Futtaim CEO

How customer-centric technology is reshaping retail industry

Hani Weiss is the CEO at Majid Al Futtaim Retail, we spoke to him about how under a strategy of omnichannel retail, the challenges of digital transformation can be turned into opportunities

Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC Distribution approves $350m interim cash dividend for H1 2022

This is the first payment in what is expected to be a full-year 2022 dividend payment of minimum Dhs2.57bn

Chaloub Threads Styling

Chalhoub Group acquires majority stake in London-based digital luxury retailer Threads Styling

Founded by Sophie Hill, Threads Styling offers a social-first personal shopping service through social platforms and chat-based commerce

Scan & Go payment provider MishiPay launches in UAE

MishiPay launches in UAE, allows shoppers to scan and pay

The payment ecosystem commences its operations in the UAE by deploying its self-checkout technology across Virgin Megastore outlets

Carrefour Egypt partners with Merge to provide sign language interpretation

Carrefour Egypt stores will offer sign language interpretation

Carrefour has partnered with Merge, an IT company to launch simultaneous sign language interpretation in its stores

FedEx insights on e-commerce

What’s driving the e-commerce industry: consumer behaviour or digital innovations?

More than ever, consumers now want fast, on-time and flexible delivery solutions, with the option of easy returns

Emaar annual meeting

Emaar shareholders approve acquisition of Dubai Creek Harbour, sale of Namshi

A special resolution to remove the minimum contribution of UAE and GCC nationals in the company was also passed

TikTok launches podcast series

TikTok launches podcast series ‘The Future of Retail’ in the GCC

The podcasts will shed light on the evolution of the industry, and feature discussions with some of the retail sector’s most prolific players

Nanovo launches in Middle East with first phygital retail concept

6thStreet collaborates with Nanovo, opens region’s first phygital store

Customers can select from more than 40,000 products at the store’s self-service terminals

cotton

Climate change: How has extreme weather affected cotton?

The world’s cotton supply keeps shrinking, hit by drought and heat

Dubai Duty Free

Dubai Duty Free records over $1bn in sales for first eight months of 2022

Online sales reached $29m, accounting for 3 per cent of total sales from January through August

Spinneys Aster JV

Spinneys, Aster Pharmacy JV to launch supermarket wellness concept

The first Spinneys store to introduce the concept will be announced soon with a rollout to follow across the UAE