Gulf retail explosion to be discussed by leading retailers and policy makers

Some of the biggest names from the region's will present and then discuss the vast opportunities for both international and domestic players, during a series of sessions devoted to this dynamic market, including Mohammed Alshaya, CEO, Alshaya Group; Tawhid Mohd Taher Abdullah, Managing Director, Damas; Patrick Chalhoub, Managing Director, Chalhoub Group; David Thurling, CEO, Istithmar Retail and Francois de Montaudouin, Group CEO, Majid al-Futtaim Investments.

Mohammed Alshaya, CEO of the Alshaya Group comments: "Since the launch of our retail division more than twenty years ago, opportunities for growth in this dynamic market have grown exponentially. Today, more than 6,000 of our 7,000 employees work within the company's retail division, and so I am delighted to participate in this session, not only to advise on some of the challenges that we have faced, but also to come together as an industry with key policy makers to discuss how we can work together to overcome them for the future.'

As one of the main conference themes, the sessions are dedicated to how retailers can "get ahead of the game" in today's emerging markets, and focus on how evolving economic, political and demographic trends will influence the future retail climate.

A wealth of international retailers who have entered the Middle East in recent years are also set to join the speaker line up, and are expected to advise on the challenges they have faced and the successes they have achieved, including Isak Halfon, Executive Vice President International Expansion, Mango; Norman Jaskolka, Vice-President, Aldo Group International and Francis McAuley, International Director, Debenhams.

"The opportunities for expansion in this dynamic retail market are vast but, as the Gulf retail industry continues to expand at a phenomenal pace, only those brands and concepts which correctly adapt to this multi-cultural environment will succeed. In emerging markets, such as the Middle East, it is vital that the industry comes together to share the knowledge which will enable us to both learn from the successes, and overcome the problems, experienced by our contemporaries," added Francis McAuley, International Director, Debenhams.

In addition to an opening session, which will profile the regions retail outlook, other sessions devoted to the region include "Gaining a foothold in this dynamic market" and "The future landscape of the ever expanding shopping malls". These sessions will look at which brands and concepts work best in the region and discuss the properties of the mall of the future, helping delegates to choose the 'correct' location in today's fast developing sector.

As the biggest Marks and Spencer outlet outside the UK opens this week at Festival City in Dubai, it is anticipated that the large Middle East delegation attending the Congress will also be particularly interested to hear Clem Constantine, Property Director for the iconic UK company, speak in a separate session on the impact of property decisions for retailers across the globe.

The World retail Congress is a unique event created in cooperation with the retail industry, which will bring together the world's leading retailers to address and debate the key issues. With delegates drawn from 25 different countries around the globe, and a prestigious line up of almost 100 of the World's retail leaders, it will provide the sector with a clear and coherent voice that will be heard by the key influencer groups such as politicians and policy makers.

Beyond the business streams and plenary sessions, the Congress will boast sector and country pavilions dedicated to business critical issues, and the launch of the World Retail Awards, the first ever global awards focused on retail excellence, which will take place during the Congress at a gala dinner.

The congress is organised by Emap Communications, with Visa confirmed as the Congress headline partner and KSA (Kurt Salmon Associates) as Awards headline partner. Co-sponsors include CBRE, Deloitte and Oracle.