#Retail

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

Dubai

Dubai’s GDP grows 4.6% during first nine months of 2022

The emirate hosted 10.12 million international visitors from January through September 2022, compared to 3.85 million welcomed during the same period last year

Dubai shopping festival

Dubai reveals dates for 28th edition of annual shopping festival

Dubai Shopping Festival is back this year from December 15 with 46 days of entertainment, fashion exclusives, shopping deals, raffles, hotel and dining offers

Apoorv Sood, VP Global Business Development & Partnerships, WebEngage

What does the future hold for customer engagement and loyalty?

Businesses will have to go beyond the traditional norms today if they want to keep their customers engaged tomorrow

Loreal Middle east MD interview

Interview: L’Oréal’s Laurent Duffier on the business of beauty

The MD of L’Oréal Middle East talks about transformative trends, Beauty tech, sustainability and the future of beauty

shop online

How to shop safely online by avoiding common scams

Although online shopping is extremely convenient, consumers should always be alert when looking for the top offers

chargebacks retailers

Top five ways retailers can reduce chargebacks and prevent fraud

Chargebacks are among the biggest issues facing merchants today

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

Empower

Dubai’s Empower increases IPO stake size from 10% to 15%

The company’s market capitalisation at listing is expected to be between $3.56bn and $3.62bn

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

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

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

STC Alibaba

Arabian Drilling draws $43bn in orders for Riyadh IPO

The company set the final offer price at $26.6 a share, raising $710m after a book-building process for institutional investors

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

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

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

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

Saudi National Day celebrations in UAE

UAE to celebrate Saudi National Day with fireworks, festivities and retail offers

UAE will commemorate Saudi Arabia’s 92nd National Day with an extensive programme of celebrations from September 23 to 26

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

Mall of the Emirates digital concierge service

Majid Al Futtaim launches SHAREPay for loyalty programme members

SHAREPay enables members to link up to 10 existing debit/ credit cards to a single digital card, enabling seamless instant earning and burning of SHARE points

Last three days of Dubai Summer Surprises, discounts up to 90%

Last three days of Dubai Summer Surprises, discounts up to 90%

Residents and visitors can avail the final sale of DSS offers from September 2 to 4

Mohamed Alabbar to acquire stake in YNAP from Richemont

Mohamed Alabbar to acquire stake in Yoox Net-a-Porter from Richemont

Alabbar’s investment vehicle, Symphony Global will acquire a 3.2 per cent stake of YNAP’s share capital, while Farfetch will take 47.5 per cent