Dubai: Dubai, the tale of imagination, as told by a fellow traveller

Prominent Indian expat Ram Buxani has seen Dubai grow from a small town to a megacity Dubai: Very few in the history get the opportunity to be in the right place at the right time and not all who are fortunate enough to be there make the most of it. Ram Buxani, one of the leaders of the Indian community in Dubai is surely one of those who ... More

Gulf News: UAE retail market weakens as US dollar continues climb

Luxury retailers especially have been hit hard by the appreciation of the greenback Dubai: As we approach the end of the year, the stronger US dollar continues to put pressure on the UAE retail market, according to industry experts. Retail sales have softened this year as a result of weaker consumer sentiment caused by the effect of ... More

What is the real story regarding E-Commerce and Bricks and Mortar Real Estate?

Globally, e-commerce is spoken about virtually everywhere. Anywhere that you can find an internet connection can link you to thousands of e-commerce sites.  The press and statistics that one reads from China to Los Angeles and everywhere in between shout loudly about the massive growth of the e-commerce industry. The US retail market in ... More

Khaleej Times: GCC retailers need omni-channel strategy

Retailers operating in the GCC, and international players thinking of entering the GCC market, are fast becoming aware that they can't afford to overlook the benefits of having an omni-channel strategy. The omni-channel mode is expected to fuel retail growth due to the fact that millennial and high income consumers are looking for a ... More

Gulf News: Flat UAE retail sales expected in 2017

Caution reigns supreme as general macroeconomic factors are expected to contribute to continuing challenging environment for industry Dubai: January marks a time of change for many people, but don’t expect significant changes in the UAE’s retail market next year. Over the past year, retail sales have softened due on weaker consumer ... More

Khaleej Times: What advantage do GCC retailers have over European counterparts?

Immersive technology such as digital signages, interactive kiosks an edge What is it about the retail market in the GCC that sets it apart from its competitors around the world? Is it the eclectic mix of offerings in the malls, or the attention to customer needs? Industry experts have determined that the virtual kiosks, interactive ... More

InAVate: Retailers in Gulf States looking to AV tech

Virtual kiosks, interactive mirrors, and hologram adverts are among the ways that GCC retailers are leapfrogging Europe in enhancing the retail experience, according to a report from Alpen Capital. Boosted by strong tourism growth, new and expanded malls and theme parks, and events such as World Expo 2020 and 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, GCC ... More

Gulf News: Black Friday yet to catch on in the UAE

Brick-and-mortar retailers are not rolling out massive discounts in pre-holiday shopping season Dubai: Black Friday fever is engulfing the US, but it looks like the pre-Christmas shopping bonanza, which falls on November 25, is going to be just another Friday for brick-and-mortar retailers in the UAE, according to industry experts. Re... More

How Much Retail is too Much?

Part of my role heading up the Middle East Council of Shopping Centres (MECSC) is answering questions from our members and the general public.  One of these questions which is asked frequently is ‘how much retail is too much?’ Let’s begin by studying other western markets and then focus on the GCC retail scene. Michael Lewis and ... More

Khaleej Times: Visual merchandising is more important than ever

There is need to make product displays appealing to customers Visual merchandising plays an increasingly important role in the retail industry on many levels. In the world of bricks-and-mortar retail, visual merchandising is now more important than ever. Why is that? Visual merchandising is described as the art, technique and science ... More