From right: Mohamed Galal, CEO United Electronics (eXtra); Ibrahim Ashemimry, CEO Munch Bakery; Raj Mk, Director StatLabs SAS ME; and Mohammad Alawi CEO Red sea Markets Company. — SG
Samar Yahya Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – Key retail industry players in the Kingdom gathered here Monday morning at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (JCCI) Abdul Kader Al Fadel Hall to discuss innovative strategies to drive the industry forward during the InRetail Summit Saudi Arabia event. The summit, which was described as a strategic platform to discuss how to sustain the growth that the Kingdom's retail industry is currently experiencing, opened with a lively discussion involving more than 140 retail executives on keeping a pace with the next generation of shoppers' demands. The discussion hosted industry leaders including, Mohammad Alawi, CEO, Red Sea Markets Company; Nigel Clarkson, Managing Director, MASMI; Maartenjan de Wit, Industry Principal Trading and Consumer Industries, SAP MENA; and Raj MK, Director, StatLabs and SAS. “For the retail industry to achieve substantial growth, retailers, mall owners and developers need to have a platform where innovative ideas can be shared and discussed. Many retailers are planning to expand their operations and open new outlets. This event provides the perfect opportunity to learn about their future plans and be able to respond to their needs.” said Alawi. The main topics discussed at the summit included current and future trends, new opportunities, achieving success and growth strategies, human resources investment, redesigning the shopping experience, leveraging new technologies, attracting customers digitally and the future of retail. One of the highlights of the summit, which was organized by the JCCI and its Commercial Committee and co-organized by MICE Arabia and dmg events, was the CEO roundtable discussion on capitalizing on new trends to stay relevant in today's market. The discussion was chaired by Alawi and joined by Abdulkareem Al-Agil, CEO, Jarir Bookstore; Mohamed Galal, CEO, United Electronics Co (eXtra); Muwaffaq Jamal, CEO, Azizia Panda United Co., Savola Group; and Ibrahim Ashemimry, CEO, Munch Bakery. The experts explored adopting a multichannel approach to reach new customers. Over the course of the two-day summit, the latest retail solutions and technologies by leading local and international brands such as SAP, Retail Business Solutions, NCR, Baud Telecom Network, CISCO, SAS, Dorchester Estates, Data Capture Systems, Tatweer International Software Development Company, Sávant Data System and Retail Performance Group were introduced to the Kingdom's key brand owners, retail managers, mall owners and retail real estate developers. Other notable attendees who shared presentations and lead discussions included Mohamed Abd El Latif Lotfy, Retail Property Manager, Dar Al-Arkan Real Estate Development co. (DAAR); Abdulrahman Tarabzouni, Head of Emerging Arabia, Google; Abdullah Alghadouni, Digital Marketing & CRM Manager, Nokia; and Majid Bin Anzan, Director General, E-Mall, Saudi Post.
