Dubai plays host to World Retail Congress launch

The organisers also revealed that Majid Al Futtaim Group's 'Mall of the Emirates' has been short listed in the 'Retail Destination of the Year' category of the World Retail Awards.

Ian McGarrigle, Congress Director, comments, "We were pleased at the goodwill towards the Congress that is evident in Dubai. There is a real energy and momentum around retail in the Middle East, and the Congress programme reflects this, particularly through the Gulf business streams which will be a major part of the event."

The launch attracted many supporters including representatives from Ahmed Al Seddiqi & Sons, Ahmed Ramadhan Juma Est, Al Jaber Opticals , Amco Global Marketing ME, Areej (Al Tayer Group), Better Life Appliances & Accessories - Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, CB Richard Ellis Ltd Middle East, Cellucom FZCO, Chalhoub Group Grand Stores, IDE - International Distribution Est, Line Investments & Property - LULU Hypermarkets, Majid Al Futtaim - MAFD, MESA, Mostafa Bin Abdullatif Group, Oracle Retail, RAK Bank, Rivoli Group, Safeer Group and Software Design.

Attendees were delighted to hear about the Mall of the Emirates nomination in the World Retail Awards. When it opened in September 2005, the Mall became the world's first shopping resort, featuring more than 440 international brands, ranging from high street retailers to luxury boutiques. The retail offer is seamlessly integrated with a range of unique family experiences, including Ski Dubai, one of the world's largest indoor ski slopes. The mall has helped cement Dubai's growing reputation as a tourist destination, with shoppers drawn from across the globe.

The World Retail Congress has been created in cooperation with the retail industry. It will bring together the world's leading retailers to address and debate key industry issues, before reaching a series of conclusions and recommendations which will be communicated to key influencer groups such as politicians and policy makers.

The event has attracted a host of speakers from some of the biggest names in retail around the world, including Eric Broussard, Vice President, Amazon Services Europe; Mohamed Alshaya, Chief Executive Officer, Alshaya Group; Ian Cheshire, CEO, B&Q; José Luis Duran, CEO, Carrefour; Terry Lundgren, President, Chairman and CEO, Federated Department Stores; Joseph Wan, CEO, Harvey Nichols; Anders Dahlvig, President and CEO, Ikea Group; and Sir Terry Leahy, CEO, Tesco.

The Congress will focus on the most crucial areas currently affecting the retail industry, ranging from the global economy and emerging markets to the continued development of talented professionals working in the sector.