Industry Leaders Insights for the New Decade

Let’s Hear Out what Industry Leaders have to say for 2020

Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen Chief Executive Officer, Novo Cinemas

As a business, we are in the most exciting times ever, exploring new markets and newer opportunities. Our expectations from 2020 are high, we have built a momentum and pace over the years as a business to move and grow in the right direction.

We belong to a dynamic industry and are constantly channeling our strategies and energy towards bringing the right content to the right audience. Our strategy for Expo 2020 is to ensure that the Novo Flag flies high as we focus on keeping our luxurious experiences in the forefront.

The amazing movie slate for the year 2020 allows us to provide out-of-the-box promotions and campaigns that the region enjoys.

The diverse ethnicities of the region allow our audience to experiment with their movie choices, and our number one goal is to ensure that each one of our customers has a Great time Out!”

Ishwar Chugani Managing Director & CEO, Giordano Middle East

We are all very optimistic about business in 2020 and the future of Retail in the Region.

The region has all the ingredients to support the growing retail market. The UAE’s geographical location will always be an asset and the continued influx of regional and international tourism will keep feeding growth. There will always be opportunities to expand, but we have to be on top of our game and offer value and service to our customers.

To succeed, retailers need to embrace the challenge of relationships by leveraging technology as a means to establish and maintain an omnichannel so as to connect with shoppers effectively. Retailers also need to empower their associates to serve the customers quicker and more efficiently.

We are very confident that the future will offer every business an opportunity for growth provided we prepare for it and have a clear strategy on dealing with today’s fast-changing digital world and knowledgeable consumers.

Phil McArthur, CRX, CDP, CSM Founder and Chairman, McARTHUR + COMPANY

COMPANY + McARTHUR

S H O PPIN G C E N T R E S P E C I A LIST S

With overbuilding of retail destinations in some GCC markets and the surge of E-commerce, we believe the shopping centre industry will be under huge pressure to ensure their properties are well managed and fully leased with desirable retailers services and f+b operators.

Mall operators who engage with the retail community and understand the need to motivate sales will be the winners. All retail developers need to take a hard look at whether they are capturing the next generation shopper through their brands, their marketing and social media.

We strongly believe Expo 2020 will be a global epic event, again proving Dubai’s ability to conceive, plan and execute at a world-class level.

Juby Jose Head of Marketing & Specialty Leasing, Dalma Mall

2020 has come around with lots of optimism and positivity to the entire region and especially to our retail sector. The new residency and tourism laws along with the high influx of guests from around the world for EXPO 2020 is sure to add new dimensions and the much-required thrust to the sector. Dalma Mall already sitting at 99% leased has great hopes and plans for this wonderful 2020 and the new decade which it has brought in with it. Revamping of some stores, adding some more favourite brands and exciting marketing activities for our audiences is all in the pipeline.

We would like to wish all our partners across the industry a Blessed & Fruitful New Year and Decade.

Michael Ellis Founder, Managing Principal, 5+design

In Dubai and elsewhere, I believe 2020 will bring an increased desire for authenticity over spectacle. Throughout its history, Dubai has been masterful at providing spectacle, but it has a great store of authentic experiences and environments as well, and they will become increasingly valuable to the city going forward.

I do think there will be opportunities in retail during the Expo, but the opportunity for real change in the city will occur after Expo is over, as Dubai adjusts its priorities and positioning to capture the imaginations of a new wave of visitors to the city that the Expo will likely provide, while also increasing the amenities and quality of life for its residents.

Damien Singh Marketing Manager, Xpandretail powered by Sàvant Data System (SDS)

The retail industry has been in a constant state of evolution. As we enter in the year 2020, retailers can expect growth in disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics. These technologies will enable in enhancing day to day business operations and providing a more interactive and high-value shopping experience. Furthermore, they will assist firms to manage footfalls better and improve conversion rates. The retail industry will also witness a rise in concepts such as Omni-channel and Experiential Retail. Through the inclusion of the Internet of Things, retailers can provide a seamless and convenient experience across various online and offline platforms.

Expo 2020 will play a significant role in enhancing the retail industry. Our company Xpandretail powered by Sávant Data System (SDS) will benefit from the myriad of opportunities that the event will bring. Expo 2020 will also help in gaining insights to stay relevant and grow in the highly competitive and dynamic industry.

Francis Loughran Managing Director, Future Food

More and more customers are enjoying delivered food because they detect the declining value for money from in-store experiences. Eating at traditional cafés & restaurants has been affected by continual disappointment. The hospitality industry has dulled the interaction of people & food to the point where what is delivered will do. Complacency is the cousin of convenience. Delivery opens the door for customers to reduce friction by “eating out - but in”

Expo 2020 allows Dubai hospitality the chance to reset expectations and experiences as the influx of visitors will allow locals and long-time visitors the opportunity to see F&B in a whole new light. Operators know the extent of the issues and I expect they will rise to the occasion.

Amit Dhamani Group Managing Director, Dhamani Jewels

Expo 2020 will certainly be helpful in bringing the footfall of global clientele. We are very positive about Expo and its benefits beyond. Dubai and all of UAE provides a great variety of Retail and Entertainment choices to the visitors. This will be a very big added benefit for visitors to experience more than the expo site itself".

Nita Odedra GM Sales & Marketing, Blue Rhine Industries

Along with a raft of exciting new mall openings, our customers are also planning store upgrades and launching world-class entertainment concepts in what is set to be a busy 2020. We believe there will be an increasing focus on entertainment within the retail sector this year; we saw Dreamscape open in Mall of the Emirates last year and significant expansion in the number of cinemas in Saudi Arabia.

Retailers are of course still committed to the digital experience within the store and we continue to execute innovative and interactive digital signage across the region, including some ‘never before seen’ digital signage which we are installing in the first half of the year. Our customers are also stepping up their game on the actual content on their screens and in recognition of this Blue Rhine has established a content division to support them in managing and creating this content.

Oliver Morgan Head of Real Estate Development, Deloitte Middle East

The EIU forecasts that UAE retail sales volume growth in 2020 will reflect -1.2%, combined with a significant pipeline of new projects it is likely that in store rents will continue to be under pressure. Our survey with GRMC indicates that consumer’s see a tightening in spending with 21.7% of those surveyed expecting to have less disposable income in 2020 compared to 2019. It is likely that patterns of spend will continue to shift with Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry estimating that online F&B sales in the UAE grew at a 20.6% CAGR between 2015 and 2018, moving into 2020 this trend is likely to continue with the best performing F&B brands embracing an omni-channel approach.

Expo 2020 is likely to help Dubai retain its place at the top of the Dubai Global Destination Cities Index in terms of visitor spending, benefitting the wider retail sector.

Kamel Shaban General Manager, Capacita General Trading

The retail market is undergoing a major transformation in Ecommerce and retail store, set against a backdrop of heightened economic uncertainty. However, I believe market will grow in 2020 and that’s based on Q4 results in GCC market. Retail stores has already started the shift towards customers experience, innovations and frictionless retail. Retail stores will become more and more automated with focus on supply chain and inventory optimization. The market will see the rise of click and collect stores, easy returns and cashier less checkout. With 192 countries participating in Expo 2020 with expected number of visitors of over 25 million, the retail market will definitely benefit from Expo 2020.