• 11th Congress to be held in Dubai on April 4-6, 2017 in partnership with Dubai Chamber
• High-profile event cements emirate’s position as a thriving global retail hub
• H.E. Buamim: Robust outlook for UAE retail market supported by strong consumer base
• Growth in UAE household spending expected to average 7.1% through 2020 

Dubai, UAE, February 1, 2017:  Bringing together leaders of the global retail industry, the 11th edition of the World Retail Congress will return to Dubai at Madinat Jumeirah on 4-6 April 2017, continuing the event’s partnership with Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the second consecutive year under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Through its rapid commercial expansion and innovative initiatives, Dubai has become the retail industry’s global market leader, making it the ideal location to host the world’s most exclusive and important retail event. Hosting the Congress for the second year highlights the importance the emirate has placed on retail to drive economic growth. National retail sales are predicted to reach AED 200 billion during 2017, with the launch of billion-dollar e-commerce site Noon.com, and an additional 85,000 meters of new retail space expected to become available during the year. 

This year, the three-day Congress will focus on the central theme of “Reimagining the customer experience”, and bring together 1,500 attendees who will have the chance to hear from over 150 leading retail and industry experts discussing topics such as transformation and disruption within retail, what really motivates the increasingly individualistic, but connected, consumer and the importance of brand differentiation. 

World Retail Congress 2017 will also feature new interactive sessions in response to the constant evolution of the modern retail market to identify key trends and potential areas of growth, with the introduction of the Ideas Factory.

Among the many high-profile speakers at this year’s conference are Terry Lundgren, Executive Chairman of Macy’s, Laura Xiong, Chief Branding Officer of JD Mall, Manny Chirico, Chairman and CEO of PVH Corp., Fodhil Benturquia, CEO of Noon.com and Stephan Fanderl, CEO of Karstadt who will be joined by leading retail experts from the UAE, wider MENA region and across the globe.

Commenting on the launch, Ian McGarrigle, Chairman, World Retail Congress, said: ‘’It is with great pleasure that we return to Dubai for the 11th edition of the World Retail Congress, building on the success of last year’s event. As the leading international retail destination and a recognized global trading hub, Dubai is the perfect location for the Congress, bringing together leaders of this $22 trillion global industry - from the greatest retail icons to the most innovative start-ups and disruptors. Through our diverse agenda of talks and interactive workshops from inspirational speakers, centered around “Reimagining the customer experience”, the Congress will initiate a dialogue focusing on the current challenges facing the retail industry on a local, regional and international level, supported by the very latest ideas and exclusive research. At the same time, the event will create high level networking opportunities to build invaluable business connections.”

The Congress is the latest of many international events that Dubai Chamber has helped bring to Dubai. The Chamber’s support for the event falls in line with its mission to promote the emirate as a global business hub and an attractive trade and investment destination. 

On his part, H.E. Hamad Buamim, President and CEO of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “Dubai is an ideal host city for the World Retail Congress as it’s already a leading retail hub and preferred market for regional and international retailers. By hosting the Congress, Dubai can more effectively communicate its vision and plans to a global audience, including key initiatives such as the Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030 and its ambition to become a manufacturing and wholesale hub for the region.”

Dubai Chamber’s President and CEO noted that the outlook for the UAE’s retail market looks promising, as growth within the sector is supported by a strong consumer base and rising incomes, adding that the growth in household spending is expected to average 7.1% over the next three years.

H.E. Buamim added that retailers in Dubai are also increasingly looking for new ways to improve customer happiness and embrace innovation, and pointed out that these two themes remain core pillars of the Dubai Plan 2021.

WRC 2016 was the first Congress to be held outside of Europe and brought together 100 leading retailers and industry experts from over 65 countries, including Tommy Hilfiger, Jo Malone and Solomon Lew. Held under the theme “Attracting and Engaging the Modern Customer”, the 2016 Congress discussed and published extensive research on the how to effectively engage with customers, and explored how companies could innovate to reinvent the customer experience.