#Retail

B Store launched by AstraTech Image Astra tech

Now pay for groceries using facial recognition at Astra Tech’s new B Store

Astra Tech has launched its first autonomous shopping store in Abu Dhabi’s Sky Tower, which operates solely using artificial intelligence

Tamimi markets sells 30% stake to PIF

Saudi wealth fund PIF to acquire 30% stake in Tamimi Markets

The deal is aimed at supporting Tamimi Markets’ growth plans including a potential initial public offering

micky jagtiani image credit Landmark group

Dubai’s Landmark Group founder Micky Jagtiani passes away

A constant innovator, the Indian billionaire created and led more than 27 diverse brand concepts

Mall of the emirates 3 day super sale is back phot courtesy: Mall of the Emirates Majid al futtaim

Dubai’s 3 Day Super Sale is back, with discounts up to 90% up for grabs

The three-day super sale (3DSS) will run from May 26 to 28

Alan

Alan’s corner: The tipping point

A strategic offering of in-store and online shopping experiences can help retailers stay relevant in current times

Chatbots

Chatbots: The key to delivering everything, everywhere, all at once

AI-powered chatbots have an exceptional track record of enhancing customer interactions, and that record includes measurable and attributable increases to revenue

EMAAR DOWNTOWN_DUBAI

Emaar records net profit rise of 43% to Dhs3.2bn for Q1 2023

Emaar’s group property sales reached Dhs9.2bn, an 11 per cent increase compared to Q1 2022

Apparel Group

Apparel Group expands presence in Kuwait with 12 new store openings

The line-up of stores feature brands such as Birkenstock, Beverly Hills Polo Club, Dune London, Levi’s, The Children’s Place, Steve Madden, among others

Carter & White

Emirati brand Carter & White raises Dhs40m in Series A funding

The funding will be invested to attract a new segment in regional retail markets including UAE, Saudi Arabia, other GCC countries and eventually Europe

Aldar and Mubadala to work on developing Al Maryah Island Photo

Aldar Properties, Mubadala to jointly develop commercial tower on Al Maryah Island

Upon completion of the initial office tower’s construction, which is expected by the end of 2026, the property will be managed by Aldar Investment

MENA e-commerce trends GettyImages-157027870

Total e-commerce market value in MENA region to surpass $57bn by 2026

The MENA region’s total e-commerce market size reached $37bn in 2022, with a double-digit growth rate from 2021

retail summit

Global, regional retail giants converge on Dubai for The Retail Summit

The summit supports international brands looking to either establish an in-market presence or sell via cross-border ecommerce to the UAE

GMG's new Africa HQ in District 5, Cairo

UAE’s GMG opens new office in District 5, Cairo

By 2025, GMG aims to double its global workforce through acquisitions, developing fresh concepts and entering new geographies

Harrods _ Supplied

Interview: Harrods MD Michael Ward on luxe retail trends

The managing director of the UK-based luxury department store shares how the store is adapting to changing consumer expectations, the Luxury for Life initiative and Harrods Hive

Dubai's Emaar announces net profit rise of 80% to Dhs6.8bn, riding on record property sales

Dubai’s Emaar sees 80% net profit rise to Dhs6.8bn, supported by record property sales

Emaar’s group property sales in 2022 reached $9.5bn, primarily driven by new project launches

Majid

UAE’s Majid Al Futtaim launches Mall of the Metaverse

The mall is in the initial phase of development and will open to visitors after multiple stages of testing

mall of oman opening by Majid Al Futtaim

Majid Al Futtaim officially inaugurates Mall of Oman 

Mall of Oman, which had a soft launch in September 2021, is home to Snow Oman – the largest snow park in the region, Oman’s largest VOX Cinemas and 260 international and local retail outlets

UAE's GMG acquires Aswaaq to expand retail footprint

UAE’s GMG acquires Aswaaq to expand retail footprint

The acquisition adds a total of 11 community malls and 22 supermarkets to GMG’s retail network

Majid Al Futtaim

Power Letters 2023: Fahed Ghanim, CEO, Majid Al Futtaim – Lifestyle

As we look to the year ahead, we will undoubtedly see ‘moments’ become the currency of customer experience

Carrefour Bahrain_Self Checkout

Carrefour brings self-checkout service to Bahrain

A hand-held device, simple to use with a bank card or smartphone, allows customers to scan and bag purchases

Apparel Group and Project Chaiwala

Apparel Group, UAE home-grown concept Project Chaiwala sign partnership

Apparel Group’s five-year plan is to grow the Project Chaiwala brand by increasing its retail footprint across the GCC

Majid Al Futtaim and Poltrona Frau sign strategic partnership

Majid Al Futtaim, Italian luxury brand Poltrona Frau announce strategic partnership

Founded in 1912 in Turin, Italy, Poltrona Frau is known for its 21-step tanning process to create enduring leather items

GMG establishes its Asian headquarters in Malaysia to pursue further expansion and growth in SEA

GMG to ramp up growth in Southeast Asia, aims to launch 100 stores by 2025

The company has opened 31 stores across Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia since entering the SEA market in 2020

Amazon cuts 18,000 jobs

Amazon to slash more than 18,000 jobs

The reduction is concentrated in the firm’s corporate ranks, mostly Amazon’s retail division and human resources functions like recruiting

Home Retail takes centerstage in the Middle East

How home retail is growing in the Middle East?

Home Retailers are always on the look out to evaluate opportunities to expand their footprint and increase their assortment to ensure that they become a one-stop solution for all home retail needs

Dubai Duty Free shopping complex in Concourse C

Dubai Duty Free annual sales touch $1.74bn in 2022

December sales were boosted by DDF’s 39th anniversary celebrations when the operation offered a 25 per cent discount from December 18- 20

Consumers spend in 2023 - trends

UAE consumers to shop, dine out more, but spend less per visit in 2023: Mastercard Economics Institute

The report expects inflationary pressure to ease in 2023, with the average inflation rate of developed economies falling from 7.1 per cent year-on-year in Q4 2022 to 3.1 per cent year-on-year in Q4 2023

Geant opens first supermarket in UAE in Ajman

Géant opens first supermarket in the UAE

Géant has expanded into the Northern Emirates with the opening of its new store concept in Ajman

IGB Majid Al Futtaim

Majid Al Futtaim, Immersive Gamebox to launch interactive digital smart rooms in UAE 

Seven ‘Gameboxes’ will be introduced in two Magic Planet locations in Dubai and Sharjah in January 

Holiday

Top 5 cybersecurity threats to look out for this holiday season

Online shopping has seen a massive uptick and this growth has attracted new cyberthreats, with scammers taking advantage of unsuspecting shoppers in a various ways