Dubai, UAE, February 12, 2017:  As the retail industry in the MENA region undergoes seismic shifts driven by a post-oil economy, changing consumer behaviour and the digital realm becoming the new norm, this year’s Retail Leaders Circle MENA  takes on critical significance for all sectors of the industry.

The exclusive annual summit, taking place at The Address Dubai Mall Hotel from 6th – 7th March 2017, brings together one hundred of the most influential and visionary people helping to shape the future of retail in the region.  Connecting the region’s top retail CEOs with a carefully curated group of brand executives, retail developers, market experts, analysts and investors, Retail Leaders Circle MENA encourages dialogue, discovery and partnership around the trends shaping the future of retail.

“This year marks the third edition of Retail Leaders Circle MENA, and there is no doubt that the pace of change we’ve seen in these three short years is driving the need for ever nimble, technologically savvy, next generation retailers who will be able to lead their organizations into the future,” said Panos Linardos, Executive Director of the New York Institute of Management, owner and organizer of Retail Leaders Circle MENA.  

“Retail Leaders Circle MENA provides both the environment and the expertise for the region’s retail leaders to address the issues, opportunities and innovations in the industry, and is also a forum to gain practical tools and insights to successfully navigate the evolving retail landscape.” 

As a by-invitation-only event, Retail Leaders Circle MENA, provides a closed environment for the industry’s leaders to address the issues, opportunities and innovations in the region’s rapidly evolving retail landscape. 

Sponsored by international luxury retail conglomerate Chalhoub Group, retailer developer Meraas, Sharjah Investment Authority, and industry technology provider SAP, Retail Leaders Circle MENA boasts a line-up of top level speakers over the two day event.  

These include:
Nisreen Shocair, President, Virgin Megastore MENA – and the current Chair of the Retail Leaders Circle MENA – who will focus on “Redefining Customer Centricity in the New Digital Paradigm” to ensure sustainable and simultaneous customer engagement, profitability and results. 

Patrick Chalhoub, CEO, Chalhoub Group, will present “The New Norm” – highlighting the resetting of regional business and expansion drives into new markets in the face of challenging regional economies, and the need for new retail strategies and marketing approaches. This includes the harnessing of technology and activations to build stronger customer engagement and long term loyalty. 

Klaus Boeckle, Vice President, EMEA Consumer Industries, SAP will provide insight on “Retail in a Digital World:  How to survive and thrive in a world where technology is rewriting the rules of retail”. Presenting the retailer of the future, the session will showcase demand and trigger processes from novel sources such as wearables, mobile devices, smart homes and cars, and the necessity for retailers to navigate a path that re-imagines their business in light of current and future digital disruptions, yet builds on existing investments and assets. 

Charbel Sarkis, MENA Head of Retail, e-Commerce, Telecom & Technology, Google will lead the discussion on “E-Commerce in MENA:  Main Dish or Dessert?”- a highly pertinent topic in a region of consumers that are among the most active internet users globally, and for a regional market at an inflection point in its evolution.  Sarkis will present the latest trends in e-commerce globally and the opportunities for retailers and consumers.

In addition, a series of sessions by industry leader analysts, consultants and research organizations including McKinsey and Egon Zehnder will serve to provide context and direction for the evolution and revolution of the retail industry as functions broaden and services expand. 

“Retail Leaders Circle MENA provides an exceptional environment for fostering collaboration among key industry players, engaging them in strategic conversations, and addressing the most critical issues retailers are, and will be, facing.  Everyone who attends the summit can bank on leaving with enough knowledge to tackle the challenges head on,” said Nisreen Shocair, Chair, Retail Leaders Circle MENA. 

The 2017 edition of Retail Leaders Circle MENA takes place from 6th – 7th March 2017 at The Address Dubai Mall Hotel.