The new wave of retail is multifaceted – dynamic, engaging and immersive. Human touch will play a pivotal role, in the world of autonomous vehicles, drone deliveries, robotics and AI (artificial intelligence). Data will be used in smarter ways to tailor personalised experiences. Silos will break down between channels and departments within businesses. There will be more collaboration. Retail is moving at a breakneck speed towards more disruptive innovation. Our opening Keynote Address will set the pace for the two-day conference with a discussion on the culture of change to remain prepared for the unseen – for RetailNEXT.
Solo address on the ‘people’ factor in retail by Florencio Padilla, Head of People Experience, Chalhoub Group.

While businesses are being digitally-enabled, the key role of people is – and will be – at the heart of every organisation. What measures are being undertaken to enhance engagement, elevate customer service and upskill people to navigate the rapidly changing retail landscape? This session will explore tangible measures undertaken by retailers to spearhead transformation and drive innovation by embracing technology, innovating processes and empowering people.

Confirmed speakers:
• Ahmed Ragab, Group CEO & Executive Board Member, BRG Holding
• Alia Khan, Chairperson, Islamic Fashion Council
• Ashish Shukla, CEO, Cinépolis Gulf
• Chris Sun Baigong, President, HONOR MEA
• Kunal Kapoor, Founder, The Luxury Closet
• Mark Tesseyman, CEO, LIWA Trading Enterprises
• Mona Ataya, Founder & CEO, Mumzworld
• Naim Maadad, Chief Executive, Gates Hospitality
• Raza Beig, CEO – Splash and Director – Landmark Group
• Shames Al Hashemi, Director – Member of Board, Dual Investments
• Zaid Alqufaidi, Managing Director – Retail, ENOC

Confirmed speaker: Shant Oknayan, Group Director – Middle East & North Africa, Facebook

Be it home-grown or franchised brands, there is an appetite for growth. It could be setting up new stores in carefully selected locations or entering new markets offering growth opportunities. This session will bring together brands and entrepreneurs with an ambition to spread their wings further.

Confirmed speaker:
& #8226; Sajan Alex, Vice President – GCC, Tablez

Confirmed speaker: Isobel Abulhoul, CEO & Trustee, Emirates Literature Foundation

Retail spaces thrive in the presence of the right retail mix. And retail requires right placement to succeed. Creating an enchanting shopping ambience, thus, requires a strong and symbiotic tenant-landlord relationship. This session will examine how the tenantlandlord relationship has metamorphosed over the last decade, while making a few predictions on how partnership models will evolve, how leasing will be done and how retail spaces will create memorable and seamless experiences.

Confirmed speakers:
… Furqan Athar, Managing Director, McArthur + Company
… Khadija Al Bastaki, Executive Director, Dubai Design District
… Marwan Eskandarani, Group Business Development Director – GCC, Kamal Osman Jamjoom Group
… Mohamed Galal, CEO, Dar Al Osool
… Timothy Earnest, Group Director/CEO, Al-Futtaim Malls

A set of five 10-minute high power / high impact speaking slots, covering diverse topics such as entrepreneurship, chasing one’s dreams, spearheading a culture of change, sustainability.

Confirmed speakers:
… Butheina Kazim, Founder & Managing Director, Cinema Akil
… Leanne Sherlock, C-founder, Safe Space

What made a campaign popular? What rendered a store captivating? What are the forward-looking digital innovations? What’s next in online retailing? How can retailing be done consciously?

• All of the above will be addressed through insightful presentations and meaningful conversations.
• 11:15am-12:15pm: Presentations for Most Admired Brand Campaign of the Year Award
• 12:15-2:15pm: Presentations for Most Admired Store Design of the Year Award
• 2:15-3:15pm: Presentations for Most Admired Digital Innovation of the Year Award
• 3:15-4:15pm: Presentations for Most Admired Online Retailer of the Year Award
• 4:15-5:15pm: Presentations for Most Admired Responsible Retailer of the Year Award
• Note: The final awardees will be felicitated at the RetailME Awards 2019 ceremony on October 15.

A giant candy vending machine, a barista handing out cups of coffee, a healthy grab-and-go counter, a hot food section serving wholesome meals within a grocery concept? Yes, all of these and more are becoming integral elements of grocery brands, which are looking to transform the shopping experience from mundane to exciting. From design to technology, products to people – every aspect is undergoing rapid transformation to enhance customer experience. This session will bring together experts from the fields of design, grocery and technology to discuss ‘what’s NEXT’.

Confirmed speakers:
• Chang Sup Shin, CEO, 1004 Gourmet
• Laurent Guitart, CEO, Circle K UAE
• Mark Lack, CEO, Urban Foods

TBD

The omnichannel evolution in the Retail 2.0 environment is a forgone conclusion. Going beyond the retail touchpoints, it all about how the shopping experience is rendered ‘smart’, ‘experiential’ and ‘differentiated’. Data is being looked upon as the ‘new oil’, as artificial intelligence, machine learning promise to positively disrupt the retail landscape. Blockchain is the new ‘in’. However, going back to the basics of human interactions in retail, this session is designed to encourage a dialogue on how established and emerging technology pieces can be blended with human touch to create future-proof ‘smart’ businesses.

Confirmed speakers:
• Amit Yadav, Head of Marketing, 2XL Furniture & Home Décor
• Ashish Panjabi, COO, Jacky’s Retail LLC
• Charbel Lahoud, Head of Scouting, Chalhoub Group
• Heer Lalwani, Marketing Manager, Al Ghurair Retail
• Rajiv Prasad, Chief Innovation Officer, Xpandretail
• Vijay Talreja, Co-founder and Director, Adapty

The retail industry in Saudi Arabia is forecast to reach $119 billion by 2023. The 34 million-plus population in the Kingdom has seen far-reaching changes – be that relaxation of foreign ownership of businesses, opening up of cinemas after a 35-year hiatus, more and more local Saudis joining the retail workforce, tech-savvy youth spearheading digital transformation. Our Saudi Arabia-focused session will bring together experts from the Kingdom for an engaging discussion on the ‘NEXT’ big changes that will have far-reaching impact on retail, leisure and entertainment, real estate and consumer behaviour.

Confirmed speakers:
• Feras Almaddah, Co-founder & Chief Marketing Officer, Zmakan
• Hathal Saad Alutaibi, CEO, Alandalus Property Co
• Jim Ragsdale, Deputy CEO – Beauty, Kamal Osman Jamjoom Group
• Kamal Osman Jamjoom Group LLCMalik Shehab, Co-founder & CEO, Golden Scent
• Mohammad IB Alawi, Chairman, Sahat Property Management Co.

How important is it to stand out? How important is it to have a sense of purpose? How important is it to plan for and be prepared for the NEXT wave of transformation? This session will bring together unique brands that are slowly, yet surely, building a strong community.
Confirmed speakers:

& #8226; Ahmad Kazim, Co-founder, Project Chaiwala
& #8226; Duncan Fraser-Smith, Vice President of F&B, The First Group
& #8226; Heba Al Farazi, Founder & CEO, Coveti
& #8226; Kristine Lasam, Head of Branding and Integrated Marketing, Accenture Interactive

Is there a magic formula to set up and run a successful business? An idea is only the starting point. That idea needs nurturing to germinate into a concrete entity. It takes grit, strategic thinking and passion to build a business, irrespective of the size. In the last few years, a lot of agencies – governmental and non-governmental – have come forward to support the development of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region. But a lot is yet to be done. To delve deep into finding that magic formula, the start-up conclave will bring together truly passionate entrepreneurs to discuss their experiences, pain points and successes. What’s more, the best startup concept will be felicitated with the coveted RetailME Award.

Confirmed participants:
• Armin Jamula, Co-founder & CEO, Its Her Way
• Bahaneh Dehghani Green, Founder, Happy Bubble
• Carole Moawad, Co-Founder, M’OISHÎ
• Dana Alsharif, Founder, Urban RetrEAT
• Feras Almaddah, Co-founder & Chief Marketing Officer, Zmakan
• Geetanjali Kaul, Co-founder, TurtleCard
• Ibrahim Abudyak, Co-founder, The Smash Room
• Mahmoud Gao, Founder, Mr Draper
• Rumana Nazim, Founder, The Edit
• Zubin Doshi, Founder, Scoopi Café
• Zaina Kaanan, Founder, KAVE


Jury panel:
• Katia Kachan, Managing Partner, All4Founders
• Nadine Benchaffai, Co-founder & Managing Partner, Taqado Mexican Kitchen & Founder, Park House Café