RETAIL PEOPLE MAGAZINE ISSUE 27 - DISCOVERING NEW RETAIL CONCEPT by MECS+R (MECSC) Publications

DISCOVERING NEW RETAIL CONCEPT Featuring:

Aswaq Management & Services Team Cooperation Model A new Trend for UAE Retail

“Landlord-Tenant

Relationship pattern shall grow beyond a simple lease agreement toward effective partnerships built on investments and profits sharing.”

P11

Dilmunia Island Canal Launches Dancing Fountains

P12

The Retail Format of the Future

P16

Times Square Center Announces Picnic Square

SAUDI BONYAN Saudi Bonyan is the real estate development arm of Abdulrahman Saad Al Rashid & Sons Company in Saudi Arabia. It is a wholly owned subsidiary. Saudi Bonyan has a large and diversified portfolio of income generating assets that span across different sectors such as retail, residential and mixed developments. The company also engages in land development as part of its strategy.

AL RASHID MEGA MALL

AL RASHID MALL ABHA

AL RASHID MALL JAZAN

SAUDI BONYAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CO. Al Imam Saud Ibn Abdul Aziz Branch Rd. Al Mohammadiyyah P.O. Box 9102, Riyadh 12364, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Tel. no. +966 (0) 11 8290 800 info@saudibonyan.com.sa

CONTENTS

The Middle East Council of Shopping Centres & Retailers 2nd Floor, DAC Office 207 Unit No. 11, The Offices 2 One Central, DWTC P.O. Box 9292, Dubai, UAE Tel. No.: +971 4 516 3061 Mob.: +971 56 548 1380 www.mecsc.org www.retailcongressmena.com

David Macadam

Chief Executive Officer david@mecsc.org

ON THE COVER 06 Cooperation Model, A New Trend for

MECS+R MEMBER’S SEGMENT

SHOPPING CENTRE UPDATE

36 We Serve You

11 Mall of Dilmunia – Dilmunia Island Canal

FEATURED MEMBER

Lea Venezuela Director lea@mecsc.org

UAE Retail

Launches Dancing Fountains for the First Time in the Kingdom of Bahrain

12 The Retail Format of the Future - Al

Khiran Hybrid Outlet Mall, Kuwait

16 Times Square Center Announces

Khaye Comanda Associate Director khaye@mecsc.org

Limited Availability in its Refurbished Food Court named ‘Picnic Square’

Christian Baldonanza Digital Media & Innovation Manager

connect@mecsc.org

Angelo Dominic Lunas Membership Executive membership@mecsc.org

NEWSBRIEF 39 Sharjah’s Sahara Centre Eyes Second

Quarter Launch for New Retail Section

LuLu to Add Three More Hypermarkets in Dubai in 2021, Opens New One at Silicon Oasis

Buys Out Body Shop Stores in UAE

Virgin Hyperloop Eyes Commercial Pilot by 2024, Says CEO

Lifestyle Destination Comes to Sharjah

40 Saudi Retailer Kamal Osman Jamjoom

22 Lighting up your World

24 Transform your Business by Streamlining your Operations and Processes

41 How Brands for Less is Mapping a Positive Course Through Covid-19 Pandemic

26 Dhamani 1969 Opens at the Prestigious Burj Al Arab Hotel

WHAT’S NEW?

27 How to Create an Omni-channel

Experience

42 Emirates NBD Rebounds with 12% Jump in 1st Quarter Profit as Economy Recovers

New IKEA Store on Track to Open in Oman in 2022

First Look: Amazon’s New High-Tech Hair Salon

30 From Managing the Store to becoming

Levi’s Offers 24/7 Customer Service with Google Messaging Platform

31 Job Seekers Must Pass Digital Gatekeepers

Chipotle to Open 200 New Locations in 2021

SPECIAL FEATURE

Athleta to Open 20 to 30 Stores Annually; to Enter Canada

29 Navigate the Fashion Industry

Relationship and Business Development Manager publishing@mecsc.org

Founder & CEO of CELS Group

FEATURED ARTICLES

28 We Bring Retail Concepts to Life

Justin Espiritu

38 One-on-One with Alessandro Gaffuri,

18 Rahmania Mall – A New Shopping and

21 Malls of the Future Marketing Officer customercare@mecsc.org

34 Global Associate Program

Mariz Matocdo

04 WELCOME REMARKS

Evolution in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia an International Brand

32 Post-Pandemic Retailers are

Reinventing

43 Fourteen Retailers Expanding in 2021

RETAIL PEOPLE . APRIL - JUN 2021 .3

W E L C O M E WELCOME

DISCOVERING NEW RETAIL CONCEPT

WELCOME

Featuring:

Aswaq Management & Services Team Cooperation Model A new Trend for UAE Retail

“The goal is not to be perfect by the end, the goal is to be better today.” - Simon Sinek, Author, Trainer, Public Speaker

“Landlord-Tenant

Relationship pattern shall grow beyond a simple lease agreement toward effective partnerships built on investments and profits sharing.”

P11

Dilmunia Island Canal Launches Dancing Fountains

P12

The Retail Format of the Future

P16

Times Square Center Announces Picnic Square

Our goal at the MECS+R is to be better everyday. Listening to our members, creating new platforms to support our members, and to succeed beyond what our members thought possible enable us to be better everyday.

ON THE COVER

Guillaume Darlix & AMS Corporate Team

Thank you to YOUNUS AL MULLA

MECS+R Chairman Senior Vice President - Retail International Development, Shopping Malls Procurement & Government Affairs Majid Al Futtaim Retail

ENG. WAIL M. BALKHAIR MECS+R Board President Saudi Arabia

MECS+R BOARD OF DIRECTORS

KAMEL SHABAN

CEO, SOLO MECS+R Board Vice President

JUBY JOSE

Head of Marketing & Specialty Leasing DALMA MALL MECS+R Board Treasurer

With every step we take to support our members, launching our new programs such as the Global Associate Program (GAP), we become better everyday. Our new WeServeU initiative is another example of being better today. In order to assist others to be better today, we work hard to create opportunities where our members can rely on the expertise and knowledge we have learned over the past years to share with you. Newly created digital platforms now help you to re-establish your professional networks and enable you to build on your knowledge base. The impressive digital reach of the Retail People Magazine, our What’s-Up Retail Monthly Newsletter, and our recently launched E-Learning Platform GVS Global School for all Retail Professionals speak clearly of the commitment we have to make your business thrive. The Voice on Demand Podcasts, Video on Demand YouTube Channel, and our recently launched VLOG all ensure you have every opportunity to build and expand your business. To excel in the retail business, all you have to do is participate, be active in the industry, and be present at our many events digitally and physically held throughout the year. This issue of the Retail People Magazine themed “Discovering New Retail Concept” is full of great insights. Guillaume Darlix from Aswaq speaks of a new Cooperation Model between retailers and shopping centre owners. Avijit Yadav outlines the Retail Format of the Future, soon to launch in Kuwait. Nancy Ozbek writes about the success of her new Food Court format in Times Square. Rahmania Mall in Sharjah is another newly launched centre. Rebecca Arnold in Mall of Dilmunia writes about the successful launch of the new Dancing Fountains entertainment as a first in Bahrain. Susil Dungarwal, Mehmet Soltay, Pinkesh Shroff, Manish Dhamani, Vikram Malkani, Mohit Ahuja, Ghadi Ali, Dante Kennedy, Bob Poline and Rupkatha Bhowmick have all contributed wonderful informative articles in this issue of the Retail People Magazine. Alessandro Gaffuri from CELS Group is our Featured Member for this quarter.

ALESSANDRO GAFFURI CEO & Founder CELS Group MECS+R Board Member

DUAIJ AL RUMAIHI

Mall Director, Bahrain Shopping Malls City Centre Bahrain MECS+R Board Member

Our team at the MECS+R again would like to thank our authors, our advertisers, and you, our readers, for your support. Your success and our success have helped us to understand that creating an organization with a clear vision is the lasting legacy we seek. We invite you to become more involved and we welcome your articles, views, and insights in our Retail People Magazine. Reach out to Mariz Matocdo at customercare@mecsc.org.

GOGI GEORGE

GM - Development & Leasing Lulu Group International - Oman MECS+R Board Member

Thank you to our members, advertisers, authors and supporters who make each Retail People Magazine issue better and more meaningful with every quarter we publish.

MOHAMMED AL QAED

Manager, Property Management SEEF Properties MECS+R Board Member

SAMAR AKKOU

Leasing Manager Nakheel Malls MECS+R Board Member

RETAIL PEOPLE . APRIL - JUN 2021 .4

DAVID MACADAM

Chief Executive Officer MECS+R

Eng. Wail M. Balkhair Board President MECS+R

COVER STORY

Abu Dhabi Mall

COOPERATION A NEW TREND FOR UAE RETAIL E

ven if many of us wish we could travel abroad more easily, the reality is that living in the UAE, at least, for the last 1 ½ year, is a blessing. Indeed, most of the world wants to come and enjoy the lifestyle permitted by the success of the country’s great management of this crisis. The immediate outcome for the residents is the freedom of movement and, focusing on our industry, access to shopping malls, leisure and F&B destinations. It translated in a bounce-back of the footfall and sales, not immediately to the previous pandemic levels, but sufficient to sustain and keep growing. This trend needs to be corroborated in a couple of months and throughout the summer to be fully established. However, it is an encouraging new beginning quite different from most of the situation witnessed worldwide where mandatory closures are still the norm with disastrous consequences, not limited to the retail industry. In this surviving mode, retailers and landlords have learned the importance of dialogue. Communicating, sometimes forcefully, is the only way to face challenges and to sustain together.

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Guillaume Darlix - CCO Aswaq Management and Services

During the past decade, the market has evolved from the landlorddominated model into much more stabilized, and perhaps balancing in the favor of the tenants. Tenant relationship, acquired prior to the crisis and carried through this unprecedented period, is the key ingredient to stay afloat for any kind of malls, whether it is old or new, moderate-sized or a giant, the flexibility in negotiation and maintaining the dialogue are the true performance indicator in the current context. Simply, the market is getting more balanced thus healthier. But transition periods are not fluid and not easy to manage, especially when it is accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic. During such a time of crisis, we were lucky to have the sun shining almost every day and the pleasant environment that the UAE offers helping us to stand up to the challenges and be one step ahead focusing on the future. Hopefully, lessons learned during the pandemic will guide us toward a healthier market with a better comprehension of the consumer needs, optimized merchandizing & retailers mix, attuned positioning, audience segmentation, and others, addressing real needs of a given catchment rather than copying, replicating existing success stories. An encouraging element is that both sides of the table of stakeholders are getting more and more in line with this way of thinking and understand the priority of limiting or selecting the physical presence of a certain type of offering or brand, demonstrating a more mindful and sustainable attitude. Consumption per capita may surely come back to previous levels, however, the pandemic has also given the lion’s share to the digital world and its rapidly ramping up online sales. This of course complicates the position of physical retail and demands lessors and lessees to fully behave as partners, be partners! This means agreeing upon a mutual strategy that makes each store and every shopping precinct unique and appealing, at least sufficiently motivating for a customer to point to that direction rather than to another.

Avenue at Etihad Towers

Both parties have their role to play in building future success. Brands can and sometimes should have several showrooms. However, with a different look & feel or collection selected in line with the specific catchment or location, tailored for the targeted audience; specific leisure activities should be differentiated from one mall to another rather than duplicated when it is successful. With concerted action between malls and retailers, the transition will be much more fluid, and it requires a reasonable mapping of physical presence according to the available, non-extensive, catchment area. It is worth mentioning that such a revised business model will be perceived as more authentic, sustainable, and therefore will emanate the image of success. The experience of Aswaq Management and Services (AMS) in the local market, as well as the willingness to remain competent and competitive in an innovative retail industry environment, is what motivates our team to challenge themselves, to find new opportunities, and to always show openness and flexibility in a rather challenging context. Back in the 1960s in France, when the market is expanding across Europe in Italy, Spain and Belgium, the Shopping Center Company (SCC) has signed a joint venture in 1999 in the UAE with HH Sheikh Suroor Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan and HE Nasser Al Nowais to develop the Abu Dhabi Mall (ADM). That is how Aswaq Management and Services (AMS) was born and extended its services throughout the Middle East and the Levant, in countries like Lebanon, Jordan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran as well as more recently to Switzerland. At present, AMS still manages ADM including the offices and residential components (Abu Dhabi Trade Center) as well as Etihad Towers, Souq AlJami’ (SAJ at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque), Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Park (SFP), Al Ruwais / ADNOC City and Masdar City Plaza. Today, AMS oversees a portfolio of quite diverse retail properties, and we aim at emphasizing their distinct identities in order to increase their relevancy to an increasingly demanding and intransigent customer base.

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COVER STORY

Indeed, the objective is certainly not to compete against another shopping centre, but to identify the needs of the catchment not yet catered to and build a revived personality around it.

Abu Dhabi Mall (ADM) is meant to serve the community mainly living on the main island, not as a destination, but more a daily convenient and accessible shopping mall. Souq Al Jami’ (SAJ) is mainly touristic-based as it is supporting Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque visitors and also coupled with the community-centric role for the population residing in the adjacent neighborhood and of course the worshippers. ADNOC Ruwais City

“

The experience of Aswaq Management and Services (AMS) in the local market, as well as the willingness to remain competent and competitive in an innovative retail industry environment, is what motivates our team to challenge themselves, to find new opportunities, and to always show openness and flexibility in a rather challenging context.

Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Park (SFP), just opened, is located on the former Women’s park in Khalidiya and offers the best of an outdoor property, with plenty of facilities and activities in a nutshell of 43,000sqm land. Retail-wise, the objective was to connect with the Abu Dhabi community partnering with local and young business entrepreneurs willing to set up concept-stores rather than expanding already high-footprint brands. Also, to become a culinary destination with its plethoric food offering. ADNOC Ruwais City is by definition a destination on its own comprising several retail precincts such as the main shopping mall, several community malls & marketplaces, traditional souk, fish & vegetable market, a beach club, etc. Masdar City Plaza is becoming a casual destination for convenient shopping, boutique gym, pampering services, and food experience serving the captive catchment area of Masdar City itself and to those residing and working/studying. Also, a greater catchment area encompassing the nearby community of Al Raha and Khalifa City A.

Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Park (SFP)

”

Souq Al Jami’ (SAJ) RETAIL PEOPLE . APRIL - JUN 2021 .8

As always, crises may represent challenges but all the more the opportunities to change, to evolve, to grow and between the need to overcome the impact of the pandemic and the buying online market share, we indeed have more reasons than enough why we should! There is a risk that old habits come back as in what is bred in the bone will come out in the flesh. But on a positive note, I believe that we have the opportunity to make the new dominant norm mutually beneficial by fostering a new Landlord-Tenant Relationship pattern growing beyond a simple lease agreement based on a percentage of sales but effective partnerships built on investments and profits sharing.

AMS Commercial Team

Abu Dhabi Mall Atrium

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Retail Leasing Opportunities: • Ruwais Mall (18,000 sq m GLA) • Community Malls and

Marketplaces

• Traditional Souq • Fish & Vegetable Market • Stand-alone units and

showrooms

Ruwais City was purpose-built by ADNOC to house the teams at the oil production plant in the 1980s, and is pivotal to the success of the United Arab Emirates. As the oil industry grew, so did the city, and today it boasts retail and residential leasing opportunities to match any desirable lifestyle.

With a growing population of over 25,000 people and a regional catchment of over 90,000, Ruwais is set to be the regional hub. Today Ruwais is a thriving city full of opportunities. Tomorrow it will be double in size and population and become a center of strategic investment.

SHOPPING CENTRE UPDATE

Dilmunia Island Canal Launches Dancing Fountains for the first time in the Kingdom of Bahrain L

ocated in the heart of Dilmunia Island, Mall of Dilmunia officially launched the much-anticipated Canal and dancing fountains on 2nd March 2021, bringing the exciting features of the one-stop destination for shopping and entertainment to life. The Dilmunia Canal is the Kingdom’s largest man-made body of water, stretching 1.7km from the Marina located in the north of the development, all the way to the Dilmunia Garden situated in the south of the island. A unique feature for the project and the entire Kingdom, the Canal was filled on December 2020 with water pumped directly from the surrounding sea and has been designed to flow in two separate directions, returning to the sea to create a sustainable circulation.

“

“residents and visitors will enjoy a vibrant dining atmosphere with waterfront views surrounded by promenades; geysers, choreographed dancing fountains, water walls, water cascades, and event plazas.

”

REBECCA ARNOLD GENERAL MANAGER & DEPUTY CEO MALL OF DILMUNIA KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN A key element of the Canal is the interactive, multicolored dancing fountains strategically placed around the Mall of Dilmunia. The multimedia fountains measure 20 meters in height and are complemented by 15-meter-high air nozzles that create spectacular choreographed multi-dimensional spray patterns reaching up to 10 meters in height, and dancing in harmony with pre-set musically synchronized shows and attractions. Dilmunia Canal’s dancing fountains will be one of the island’s key focal points, adding to the distinctive character of Dilmunia Mall, which also boasts canal-facing terraced F&B outlets with indoor and outdoor seating, retail offerings and unique entertainment for the entire family. Ms. Rebecca Arnold, General Manager & Deputy CEO for Mall of Dilmunia and MECS+R Regional Representative for Bahrain stated “residents and visitors will enjoy a vibrant dining atmosphere with waterfront views surrounded by promenades; geysers, choreographed dancing fountains, water walls, water cascades, and event plazas. This iconic landmark is expected to become one of the Kingdom’s leading event venues, attracting visitors from across Bahrain and the surrounding GCC countries.”

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SHOPPING SHOPPINGCENTRES CENTRE UPDATE

THE RETAIL FORMAT OF THE FUTURE -

s the experience economy soars with retail concepts evolving to deliver affordable shopping, curated F&B offerings, and tech-enhanced entertainment, we are met with a shopper who wants it all. Malls are refining themselves to meet these expectations through an upgraded shopping experience while perhaps falling short on their value offering which is gaining importance by the day.

The Hybrid Outlet Concept: The Al Khiran Hybrid Outlet Mall in Kuwait will meet these heightened shopper expectations by offering a combination of highvalue and dynamic experiences through a mix of premium outlet shopping, curated dining, immersive entertainment, large format events & exhibitions and recreational leisure experiences.

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Destination Creation – Endless Experiences: A full day of experience is what Al Khiran Hybrid Outlet Mall will offer its customers. Their day will be made as they hunt for the best bargains, grab a quick bite at one of the eateries or dine in excellence only to come back to more shopping! Parents can drop kids off at one of the supervised play zones, catch a movie or enjoy recreational activities like strolling along Kuwait’s largest marina within a beautifully landscaped park and boardwalk including the Water Gardens, a unique outdoor feature with captivating water fountains and an amphitheater holding a year-long program of events.

“The world, shoppers, and their expectations are changing rapidly and erratically. To find meaning in this uncertainty that will last and be embraced is vital for the success of our retailers as well as for us. Al Khiran Hybrid Outlet Mall finds its meaning at the intersection of experience and value, which resonates with current and future shoppers. Avijit Yadav - Chief Executive Officer Tamdeen Mall Management

Al Khiran Hybrid Outlet Mall Facts: Project Area

: 350,000 m2

GLA

: 70,000 m2

Retail Stores

: 300

Landscaped Park & Boardwalk : 1.25 km Marina Berths

: 900

Parking Spaces

: 3,000

Catchment Area: Al Khiran Hybrid Outlet Mall is strategically located in the South of Kuwait, which is undergoing significant development with 4 major cities nearing completion creating a major population base. Having a strong outlet component, it will serve most of Kuwait, the Eastern Saudi provinces, and a robust Saudi tourist market; 94% of which enters Kuwait through the Khafji border, 30 km from the mall. The total population base in the catchment area is estimated to be 4 million, which is complemented by an additional tourist inflow of 2.5 million Saudi tourists arriving by road.

Al Khiran Hybrid Outlet Mall will offer experiences for the whole day and the whole family serving as the main commercial center of the 6.4 million m2 Sabah Al Ahmad Sea City. Al Khiran Hybrid Outlet Mall is being developed by Tamdeen Group, one of the main real-estate developers in the Middle East, which has consistently delivered exceptional real-estate including the award-winning 360 Kuwait and Al Kout with a single-minded purpose; To Build Great Places.

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RETAIL

CONGRESS MENA 2021

YEAR OF NEW OPPORTUNITIES

CONFERENCE EXHIBITION NETWORKING DEAL-MAKING MENA AWARDS

Welcoming all the Shopping Centres & Retail Professionals globally in celebrating our 27th Year Annual Conference & Exhibition at the Retail Congress MENA. Come, celebrate and showcase your retail brands, products and services!

7-9 2021

NOV

IN-PERSON LIVE EVENT

WWW.RETAILCONGRESSMENA.COM Contact us for more information: +971 (0)4 516 3057 / lea@mecsc.org

Organized by the largest Retail Industry Association

SHOPPING CENTRE UPDATE

TIMES SQUARE CENTER ANNOUNCES LIMITED RETAIL SPACE AVAILABILITY IN ITS REFURBISHED FOODCOURT, FOOD COURT,NAMED NAMED ‘PICNIC SQUARE’ T

imes ready to to reveal its newly imes Square SquareCenter Centerisisgetting getting ready reveal its newly refurbished, energy-efficient food court area refurbished,sustainable sustainableand and energy-efficient food court ‘Picnic Square,’ and has announced limited space for any area ‘Picnic Square,’ and has announced limitedavailable space available new brands move into the mall into its tap exclusive, for any newhoping brandstohoping to move intoand thetap mall and into its family-focused audience. audience. exclusive, family-focused

Nancy Nese Ozbek - General Manager Times Square Center Nancy Nese Ozbek - General Manager Times Square Center ‘The traditional food court to one ‘The plan planisisto totransform transformour ourcurrent, current, traditional food court that includes market-style fruit and fruit vegetable stalls and less, to one that includes market-style and vegetable stalls‘fastand food, more good-food’ styled eaterystyled options,’ saysoptions,’ Nancy Ozbek, less, ‘fast-food, more good-food’ eatery says General Manager of Times Square of Center. Nancy Ozbek, General Manager Times Square Center. of of thethe family-orientated Set to to become becomethe the‘beating ‘beatingheart’ heart’ family-oriented community concept willwill incorporate stylish, communitymall, mall,the theunique uniquenew new concept incorporate new functional dining areas; greenery-filled and open welcoming stylish, new functional dining areas; greenery-filled and open spaces. welcoming spaces. Artisanal, and cafes willwill fit snugly along the Artisanal,deli-style deli-stylerestaurants restaurants and cafes fit snugly along walls of Picnic Square with tables, including with kid-sized table the walls of Picnic Square with tables, including with kid-sized and filling the majority of the space, contrasting tablechair andseating chair seating filling the majority of thewhile space, while accents of shrubbery and greenery add literal breath fresh air. contrasting accents of shrubbery and agreenery add of a literal Well-thought-out pods’ will allow mumspods’ looking a bit breath of fresh air.‘private Well-thought-out ‘private willfor allow of privacy, the ability to feed their babies out ofto view from other mums looking for a bit of privacy, the ability feed their babies shoppers. out of view from other shoppers.

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Times Square Center is centrally located on Sheikh Zayed Road. A uniquely compact community shopping destination, which offers an original selection of well-known and respected international and boutique brands as well as a selection of exclusive brands that will not be found anywhere else in Dubai. Time Square Center offers a well-rounded, intimate, social family encounter, with a broad-spectrum range of shop personalities, complimented with weekly artisan markets. We are committed to our local community and provide a warm welcome with familiar neighbourly qualities.

Current culinary offerings that will be located in Picnic Square CurrentBaby culinary willand be located Picnic Square include Eats,offerings the onlythat baby toddlerinmeal plan concept include Baby operating Eats, the only baby toddler meal plan concept successfully across theand 7 emirates. Times Square successfully operating across the emirates. Square Center is Center is looking specifically for 7brands thatTimes are family-focused looking brands are family-focused and will add and willspecifically add qualityforand valuethat to Picnic Square. Retail spaces quality andavailable value to within Picnic Square. Retail spaces available currently Picnic Square includecurrently sizes ranging within Picnic from 35 to 45Square SQM. include sizes ranging from 35 to 45 SQM.

In line with Times Square Center’s sustainability focus, it has In line with Times Square Center’s sustainability focus, it has commissioned Summertown Interiors, a specialist sustainable commissioned Summertown Interiors, a specialist sustainable contractor to execute the exciting new Picnic Square. contractor to execute thewith exciting new Picnicproject Square.team, Summertown Summertown Interiors, a female-led will also Interiors, withSquare a female-led projectLEED team,(Leadership will also assist assist Times in attaining in Times Energy Square in attaining LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental and Environmental Design) certification for the new community, Design) certification forarea. the new community, family-focused dining family-focused dining

‘We our transformation intointo an ‘We have have been beenstrategically strategicallyexecuting executing our transformation appealing community-style destination over the years2 and an appealing community-style destination overpast the2past years Picnic Square is theisfinal of the of puzzle. Watching it all come and Picnic Square thepiece final piece the puzzle. Watching it together extremely satisfying,’satisfying,’ says Nancy.says ‘We Nancy. are a familyall come is together is extremely ‘We are a focused mall butmall alsobut a female-empowering team and team we want family-focused also a female-empowering and we that spilltoout into theinto mumpreneur brands that takethat the take risk and wanttothat spill out the mumpreneur brands the choose open ato tiny space in our mallinwithout feeling competition risk andtochoose open a tiny space our mall without feeling from any of the more female-owned such as competition from anyestablished, of the more established, brands, female-owned Eggs & Soldiers, & Baby Care, Naya&Yoga & Care, Pilates, brands, such as Malaak Eggs &Mama Soldiers, Malaak Mama Baby Naya StuDIYo Lab or StuDIYo Mums n Bumps. a space foriseveryone Yoga & Pilates, Lab or There Mumsisnreally Bumps. There really a at our Picnic Table, soatcome and join us!’ so come and join us!’ space for everyone our Picnic Table,

Times Square Center has shifted its focus on identifying the Times SquaretoCenter shifted its focusand on identifying right right tenants fill thehas remaining space would like the them to tenants to fill the remaining space and would like them to share the share the community ethos of Time Square Center while looking community ethos of Timefamily-focused Square Center space. while looking to be part of to be part of a thriving

area.

a thriving family-focused space.

To find out more about current retail space available in both To find out more about current retail space available in both Times Square Center and its soon-to-open, Picnic Square, Times Square Center and its soon-to-open, Picnic Square, contact visit timessquarecenter.ae. sreejith@tscuae.ae

Visit timessquarecenter.ae or follow @timessquaredxb on Instagram.

RETAIL PEOPLE . APRIL - JUN 2021 .17

SHOPPING CENTRE UPDATE

RAHMANIA MALL A NEW SHOPPING AND LIFESTYLE DESTINATION COMES TO SHARJAH BRINGING A QUALITATIVE ADDITION TO SHARJAH’S RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES

ith 60,000 sqm of innovative retail space, restaurants & cafes, integrated services and entertainment facilities, Rahmania Mall in Sharjah is serving as a qualitative addition to the residents and citizens of Sharjah, offering a cutting-edge concept of shopping. The mall is the first community and entertainment destination in the growing community of Al Rahmania district in Sharjah which houses over 8,000 villas, in addition to many government entities’ offices and headquarters. Rahmania Mall is conveniently adjacent to Emirates Road and located just a short ten-minute drive from Sharjah International Airport. With its architecture and interior design that combines modern and traditional aesthetics, Rahmania Mall takes community malls to a new level. Having opened its doors to the public in March 2021, Rahmania Mall has already firmly secured its position as a leading shopping destination that meets the needs of its visitors ranging in all nationalities and age groups.

Community and Lifestyle Destination The mall provides residents, citizens, and visitors with an ideal community destination offering many retail stores, restaurants & cafes, a healthcare centre, pharmacies, banks and money exchanges, car registration & repair services, beauty salons, fitness facilities, and a family entertainment centre. Adding to the extensive list of exciting facilities, the mall’s entertainment services announced a multiplex cinema theatre “CINEMACITY”. Rahmania Mall is also home to the first hypermarket chain for Sharjah Coop which is serving the district and surrounding residential communities. Sharjah Coop extends over 8,000 sqm where shoppers can enjoy browsing a vast array of sections, including a food hall – so shopping doesn’t need to be done on an empty stomach!

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Accessible to All The mall offers an inclusive and welcoming space for all, providing 1000 car parking spaces and it is accessible to all members of society, including people of determination and the elderly; with stairs, elevators, dedicated parking and wheelchairs available to facilitate a fun and stress-free shopping experience for all.

Sustainable Mission Adapting the UAE’s long-term sustainability goals, Rahmania Mall has been developed to deliver a retail destination that addresses the specific needs of Sharjah’s community, whilst also maintaining a sustainability focus as per global practices and engaging visitors to lead an eco-friendly lifestyle. The mall implemented a number of environmentally friendly features and recycling and waste management initiatives. Starting from its façade which has been made from terracotta tiles and natural cladding materials to reduce energy consumption. Moreover, wet waste generated from the hypermarket and F&B units will be digested by the food digesting machines to reduce landfills and will be used for the mall’s landscape, and black water generated from the mall will be treated locally to be used as irrigation water. In addition, an initiative to collect other waste like cartons, aluminium cans, plastic bottles, cooking oil, etc. which will be recycled in a bid to lower the mall’s carbon footprint.

Delivering the Project Developed by Sharjah Cooperative Society, other market lead companies have been working on Rahmania Mall project as leading development consultants were QHC, and overseeing the project were Projacs UAE as Project Managers. OMIS Contracting Company was appointed as the Main Contractors, alongside MEP Contractors, GECO Mechanical and Electrical LTD. Interior Design Contractors were Ashtaar Interior Design & Gen. Maintenance LLC, while Vindico was appointed as Retail Delivery Consultant. Dezigntech designed all of the mall signage and branding, and Digitall MENA acted as the mall’s digital screens consultants.

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FOOD & HOSPITALITY CONSULTANTS TO SHOPPING MALLS Professional advice for malls & mixed-use environments Food Strategy - Sustainable F&B Volumes (GLA & AED) - Food Precinct Assessment - Food & Hospitality Mix

The Dubai Mall - Dubai

Image - Emaar Malls

The Galleria - Abu Dhabi

SHOPPING CENTRES

RETAIL HUBS

WATERFRONT PRECINCTS

Chadstone Shopping Centre - Australia

MIXED USE DEVELOPMENTS

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FEATURE

Malls of the Future - Post-Covid C

ovid – 19, has totally shaken the way malls used to be built, operated and managed. Footfalls in malls have declined steadily, since the advent of the Covid – 19, due to safety and health fears. Will this fear stop the consumers from going to the malls? In short term, yes, in long term NO! Will the malls shut down? Not really… then what? The malls are a confluence point for the consumers, hence the Malls of the Future will have to be re-invented, rather than just following the age-old way of developing them with being only shopping centric. Malls will now have to offer the consumer, beyond shopping. No longer are consumers primarily visiting a mall for shopping. Today, the consumer is not looking at only shopping as a reason to go to a mall, they are expecting that the malls, should be able to offer options beyond shopping, as the new normal has changed the expectations of the consumers. While we are not sure how long will this scenario continue, mall developers will surely have to re-invent and re-engineer their malls with safety and hygiene as the prime priority and by offering a complete experience to the customers. To ensure that the malls are not left behind, mall developers, have no choice but to create more reasons for consumers to come to the malls than just for shopping, as shopping can be done anywhere. They need to consider the overall experience and engagement that will keep the consumer come back to malls again and again.

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The Malls of the Future will have to be planned much beyond shopping; they have to be an epicenter for Entertainment, Enjoyment, Experience, Engagement, Experiment, Enthralling, Eatertainment, Edutainment, and many more.

Susil Dungarwal - Chief Mall Mechanic Beyond Squarefeet

(A Mall Advisory and Mall Management Company)

Susil has been part of the Retail and Mall Industry for over 3 decades, he has been involved in the development and management of more than 75 Malls in India, Iran, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman & Qatar. The Malls of the Future will have to be planned much beyond shopping; they have to be an epicenter for Entertainment, Enjoyment, Experience, Engagement, Experiment, Enthralling, Eatertainment, Edutainment, and many more. The Malls of the post covid will have to offer the consumers an all-inclusive experience and should be able to engage with the consumers for over 4-6 hours. The category mix of the malls will have to change drastically, based on the shift of the shipping trends by the consumer, post covid. Health, Hygiene and Safety will overtake all other priorities by the consumers. Malls that offer a perfect balance of category mix, experience and ambience shall be preferred by the consumers in the new normal. Malls of the future will also have to be technology-friendly, which shall help the malls to transform mall usability as a means of improving customer satisfaction. Technology, for instance, can be used to address various concerns shoppers face at the mall like finding parking, store wayfinding, ease of navigation within the mall, etc. Having a health check center or emergency health support will play a key role in building the consumer’s confidence. Shopping in malls is changing rapidly, even faster than high streets. Hence, mall developers can seize this opportunity and spruce-up their malls, and re-invent or re-orient them, in such a manner that it is not only a future-ready, but also able to take more disruptions, such as covid. Technology and health safety will play a key role in the mall enhancement in the post covid period.

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Credits: Photo provided by Forsan Central Mall Line Investments & Property LLC

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FEATURE

BLACHERE ILLUMINATION -

LIGHTING UP YOUR WORLD

Light attracts people, it shows the way, and when we see it in the distance, we follow it. Whether it’s a glittering moonlight in the night sky or the warm sunlight on a sunny day, lights have always been a source of wonder and inspiration for humans. The Retail People Magazine had an insightful interview with Mehmet Soltay, Regional Director Middle East from Blachère Illumination L.L.C.

Share with us your brief background. Prior to working with Blachere Illumination in UAE, what was your career path? It’s been 12 years since I joined the Blachere Illumination family. Prior to establishing the Middle East regional office in Dubai, I was based in Istanbul. Previously, I worked in various fields of the lighting industry (functional, architectural, indoor and outdoor).

As a Regional Director in Turkey & Middle East, can you please introduce your products or services? Blachere Illumination’s main field of activity is Festive Lighting. Regardless of the theme, we light and decorate cities and venues on all holidays, important days and festivals. Almost all major cities of the world add value to their value with Blachere Illumination products and services. Additionally, Blachere Illumination also has a media façade and a variety of smart LED solutions.

Last year most of the companies gave up their office space and rent a smaller space, but in your case, you move into a new and bigger place. How does it affect your business? 2020 was really hard for the whole world. It was not easy for us either, but we strongly believe in UAE and trust that

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Mehmet Soltay - Regional Director Middle East Blachère Illumination L.L.C. Mehmet Soltay receiving awards trophy from MECS+R Chairman, Younus Al Mulla. Photo taken during the Retail Congress MENA Event. it will continue to be the natural business hub for the GCC and the Middle East. We believe this extraordinary situation will come to an end soon. Therefore, we are consolidating and expanding our presence in the region with determination and as planned, without altering our initial plans. Our organization here is very new, and we believe we have a lot more to do.

Being in the region, can you share some of your success or recognition achieved so far to inspire other businessmen who want to set up a business here in the UAE? Each and every project we’ve worked on is extremely important for us. Regardless of the theme, location, and purpose, our first priority is to do our work with attention to detail and ethics – as if we are illuminating our own most important day. No matter which Blachere Illumination office you go to, this work norm is embedded in our culture. We know that if we are satisfied with our work, then it is certain that our customers will be satisfied with what we deliver. We are fortunate that this difference in approach was noticed by the authorities in the UAE since our first project in the region. As a result, we were given the opportunity and honor of illuminating the Royal Wedding – which I proudly name the most important project of my life. We really delivered a very attractive project in every aspect.

What is your typical day like? After dropping my kids at their school, I reach the office around 8:00AM. After that, the day runs fast with the busy pace of work. For the last year, I could not travel much due to the conditions, but in the previous years, I had a busy travel tempo. If time allows, I try to exercise in the evening.

“Each and every project we’ve

worked on is extremely important for us. Regardless of the theme, location, and purpose, our first priority is to do our work with attention to detail and ethics – as if we are illuminating our own most important day.

”

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FEATURE

Transform Your Business by Streamlining Your Operations and Processes P

ropTech innovators are disrupting the industry to help landlords and managers with their digital transformation journey. Pinkesh Shroff, VP Business Development EMEA at Retransform, discusses why the time is now to consider technology for your business. With multiple systems and not enough time, it’s easy to lose productivity managing many portfolios and leases, leaving less time for clients and new opportunities. Where technology can help is through providing solutions so property professionals can gain efficiencies in their day-to-day work.

Pinkesh Shroff - VP Business Development EMEA Retransform

“With multiple systems

and not enough time, it’s easy to lose productivity managing many portfolios and leases, leaving less time for clients and new opportunities.

”

Proptech is a disruptor but when applied in the right way, it will have a positive impact on retail businesses.

Dedicated Real Estate Specialists Accurate data and efficient workflows only work if they are integrated effectively. We understand the complexities of data - and we keep your data protected. We have over 20 years of experience in integrating and implementing real estate software. Our highly trained and skilled team are experts in many property management solutions including Yardi. Our technical team helps with implementing, configuring, testing, performing data migration, building custom reports and providing helpdesk services. We have a leasing support team to handle lease abstractions for an entire portfolio – integrating lease set-up into a property management system such as Yardi Voyager®.

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Our teams are experts in implementing and integrating real estate software.

“We partnered with Yardi® as an independent consultant to help facilitate the need for fast and effective integration and implementation services.” – Rohan Bulchandani Founder, Retransform

AI-Powered Technology Once your portfolio is integrated into your property management system, it’s time to get to work. To avoid monotonous tasks, we can implement Robotic Process Automation (RPA), another source of AI and Machine Learning. Retransform’s Rebot is a Robotic Process Automation as a service (RPaaS) that frees your team from repetitive, time-consuming tasks so they can focus on more important tasks.

Lease Administration – Commercial Billing, Outgoings Reconciliation, Percent Rent Management, Rent Escalation Tracking, Rent Revisions, Late Fee Billing, Critical Date Management, Certificate of Insurance (COI) Management, Tenant Correspondence. Lease Abstraction – follows a six-sigma process to ensure the highest level of accuracy.

“Repetitive tasks are planned and structured with rules to follow. A Rebot could be planned, structured and given rules to follow too.” – Kaushlesh Chandel Head of Innovation, Retransform

Rebot can help you save more than 25 hours per month on invoicing tasks.

Protect your Data in the Cloud with Insightful Analytics Self-service cloud-based solutions allow the end-user to access insights from their data from anywhere at any time. Understanding your existing data is not only useful for finding new business, but also for reducing operational costs and safeguarding the existing business. 4see analytics is a state-of-the-art platform that seamlessly aggregates your existing data from disparate systems, providing actionable insights, with benchmarks to external data too.

Management Services Which Serve as an Extension of your Team

We have abstracted over 350,000 leases with a 99.9% accuracy rate.

About Retransform Retransform is a global technology provider and partner, dedicated to the real estate industry. Since 1998, we have honed our expertise to offer comprehensive solutions to retail, commercial, residential and corporate occupier clients.

For more information, please visit www.retransform.com to see how Retransform can help with your CRE technology needs

Our team can also become an extension of your business. Some of our services include:

Finance & Accounting – AP/AR management, Reconciliations, General Ledger tasks, Financial Reporting.

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Dhamani 1969 Opens at the Prestigious Burj Al Arab Hotel Manish Dhamani - CEO Dhamani 1969

uxury jewellery house Dhamani 1969 has reopened its boutique in Dubai’s iconic hotel, Burj Al Arab Hotel, catering to its select clientele and welcoming visitors to explore its latest creations in the glamorous surroundings of this world-famous landmark. This boutique follows the signature bespoke concept, exclusive to Dhamani 1969, in a classic environment with a contemporary touch. It provides the perfect place for the house’s clients to shop its unique jewellery offering. With the brand’s presence at Burj Al Arab since 2016, the opening of the new and bigger Dhamani 1969 store reflects the commitment of the jewellery house to the city that saw its creation. Like the Burj itself, Dubai was the inspiration behind Dhamani 1969, the jewellery house born with a flair for true luxury visible in the brand’s oneof-a-kind pieces crafted with the world’s rarest stones and finest savoirfaire, which takes the meaning of ‘couture’ to a whole new level. The high jewellery bespoke creations are all exclusively designed and manufactured by Dhamani 1969 in Italy, including a piece with a 70 carats diamond and A Rare Vivid Green Emerald. Both are a testimony of Dhamani’s incredible knowledge and talent in acquiring the rarest stones and present them amongst the world’s finest creations. “Since its opening, the Dhamani 1969 store at Burj Al Arab has become a renowned destination where jewellery lovers and connoisseurs can discover unique creations in one of Dubai’s most elegant locations. It is with great pleasure that we announce the reopening of this special boutique catering for Burj Al Arab’s select clientele and visitors alike. We are very excited to welcome them again and share with them some of our most unique pieces,” says Manish Dhamani, CEO of Dhamani 1969. Raising the bar in retail jewellery, Dhamani 1969 also marks the first significant step towards positioning this prominent home-grown jewellery house on the global scene. With the planned global expansion globally, Dhamani 1969 is the ideal platform to provide the international clientele with access to the impeccable quality and artistry of Dhamani. Dhamani 1969 reflects the house’s deep understanding of jewellery’s intrinsic value and cultural importance in today’s world, translated into contemporary and beautifully crafted pieces coveted by luxury-loving fashionistas from across the globe.

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How To Create An Omnichannel Experience? I

f we could define the currency of 2021, it would be one thing – INFORMATION. It applies to all industries, from health to retail because we have established that we make better decisions if we have enough information. In our field, information about our customers allows us to craft solutions that can solve their real needs through a refined retail strategy. Retailers have changed their approach to the customers as well after discovering new means of interacting with the clients in a smart and sensible way. When we think about exhibitions, we are aware that a brand’s presence can drive its visibility and popularity up, thus resulting to more sales. And while the traditional Visual Merchandising strategies do work, it would also be beneficial to learn, welcome, and embrace technology and acknowledge its importance in driving up visibility.

Vikram Malkani - CEO The Albex Group adapting to the marketing campaigns that you and your team develop per season. Opening your space to retail technology will position your brand at the top of your customer’s mind, while maintaining the excitement of the physical space but combining it with the speed of the online channel.

We, The Albex Group, always make sure that we offer our clients the best and the most innovative solutions for all the retail spectrum. It is for this reason that we partnered with Perch Interactive.

Who is Perch Interactive? Perch have developed smart shelves and displays that promote an omnichannel conversion inside retail spaces, as well as product discovery and a more interactive brand experience. The various smart shelves can be personalized with valuable product education elevating the interaction between the client and the display and allowing the integration of influencer marketing as well, which is part of most of the current digital marketing strategies. You will have the option to play with different product lines and analyze their performance based on their placement on the display which will uncover surprising product interaction behaviors that can lead to the execution of a successful planogram optimization strategy. If we talk about going the extra mile, Perch also allows the collection of valuable metrics, such as traffic flow and conversion through A-B message testing and message segmentation by demographic. Another advantage of Perch Interactive is that the screen becomes the perfect space to communicate and deliver a clear message to explain your value offer to all your clients, at the same time that you register the number of interactions for each one of your products. These displays also enable cross-sell by recommending a complementary product as your customer touches another one on the shelf, using behavioral analysis to optimize engagement, therefore profitability. The collected data will make the difference when it comes to decision making, as your results will be completely derived from a specific strategy. These displays are the ultimate tool to complement any marketing strategy per product line by incorporating the latest trends in the retail space and

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We Bring Retail Concepts to Life We thrive on transforming the ingenious needs of our clients into ideas that are concluded by bespoke designs and an overall transformation of the store. For us, the most rewarding honor, is the appreciation and satisfaction of our valued customers.

Mohit Ahuja- General Manager Wanzl Middle East FZE Could you please tell me briefly your role and a quick overview of your business? How does Wanzl Middle East start? I head Wanzl Middle East in the capacity of General Manager and oversee the day-to-day business of the company. Wanzl stands for dynamism, reliability and progress. We have been a recognized global leader through our various solutions for retail, logistics, airport, security and hotel service for decades. Wanzl solutions are always synonymous with exceptional quality, attractive aesthetics and distinctive design combined with optimum ergonomics. Wanzl Middle East was established in Dubai in 2007 as a subsidiary of Wanzl GmbH & Co. KGaA which has its headquarter in Leipheim Germany. It started with one customer for the first year and today boasts to be a market leader focusing on food retail customers.

Working for 11 years in Wanzl, what do you love most about your job and why? I love my job because each day is unique. I love challenges and this helps me to stay focused and involved. It entails meeting and understanding diverse clients and creating a journey with them by designing and executing customized stores. Working in a very challenging environment has a fair amount of tribulations as well as perks. I find it endearing and engaging to be completely involved in client relations and thereby lending them my full support.

Wanzl received awards recognition in the region, can you share your secrets in delivering a winning project? I firmly believe that awards primarily provide a platform to showcase your potential and professionalism at the highest level. We at Wanzl take pride in every award we have won as it simply reassures us of our passion and dedication to our work. The golden rule being “WORK AS A TEAM!”

How long does a project take from start to finish? The project completion depends on the size and complexity of the project design. Design usually takes 3-4 weeks whereas the execution, around 4 months if the store is to be built from a bare shell. Usually, the fixtures are ordered in advance and the Civil and MEP work are done simultaneously to keep the store ready when the fixtures arrive. Coordination with various stakeholders and calibrating the installation is the challenging part of any project, which is one of our specialties to synchronize and deliver every project on time and exceed client expectations.

Sharjah Coop Hypermarket has recently opened in Rahmania Mall wherein Wanzl is the one who designed and executed the turnkey project. Can you share with us your experience in doing this project? What are the highlights you consider in making this great project? Sharjah Coop Rahmania project will always be close to my heart. The project was designed in keeping the local culture and to cater to the local community in the Rahmania district in Sharjah. It is a destination for the whole family to enjoy shopping. The client brief was very clear, design and build a store that has never been implemented in the region focusing on end-users. The Hypermarket emphasizes the fresh section and creates a shop in the shop with a unique Fruit & Veg section showcasing a Truck and Tuk Tuk. It redefines convenience and the term “one-stop” shop. Not only can customers buy fresh produce, but they can also dine in the store. You have to visit the Sharjah Coop Hypermarket in Rahmania Mall in order to experience the live cooking station and the unique shopping experience they offer. One of the main challenges in building the store during the pandemic was to keep all government regulations and precautions in mind as well as the health and safety of workers on site.

Any last words that you would like to share with our readers? Hard Work is important! There is no shortcut to SUCCESS. Work done as a team with an intense desire to achieve is significantly rewarded with gratification and contentment. As a leader in the industry when it comes to quality, our name is our guarantee that we will contribute to the success of our customers with ideas, creativity and service – both now and in the future. Sharjah Coop Hypermarket opens at the Rahmania Mall in Sharjah. Designed and executed as a turnkey project by Wanzl Middle East, March 2021.

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Navigate the Fashion Industry Evolution in the Kingdom “What is life without The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before. - Albert Einstein

he Retail People Magazine had an opportunity to interview Ghadi Ali, CEO of the Saudi International Fashion Council. Ghadi’s vision is to empower youth, entrepreneurs and inspire women to learn and grow in their careers.

Share with us a brief info about yourself. How would you describe yourself in three words? I’m a Saudi Entrepreneur, started my journey at an early age, strategic & creative thinker, dynamic leader, a business consultant with over 10 years of experience in the fashion industry. To describe me in three words, I would say I’m creative, innovative, and ambitious.

How is the Fashion Industry in Saudi? 2020 has been a tough year for everyone. Many businesses find themselves in a challenging situation, though, there are business leaders that start to adopt a new strategy to save their business and employees. There is an accelerated shift from retail stores to e-commerce and this results in huge competition between the two. As we look back, we realized that Saudi Fashion is changing and moving forward. Everything is accelerated, consumer behavior changes and we buy in faster cycles. Today, Saudi has a strong fashion marketplace and an amazing market opportunity for all brands/businesses to realize unmatched commercial success.

Where do you think the Fashion Industry lead us in the next 5 years? It’s not easy to predict what can happen in the next 5 or 10 years from now. As an expert, I can navigate that in five different aspects – creativity, transparency, emotion, simplicity and experience. E-commerce will continue to play an important role in the consumers for the next decade. Customers are looking to discover new global brands, enjoy memorable shopping experiences in a safe, fast and convenient way. Today, you will notice that big retail companies started to take new strategic milestone investments with e-commerce. For instance, the brilliant partnership between AlHokair and Vogacloset. They found this investment as an exciting opportunity to accelerate digital transformation. I believe it’s important to manage such growth in our region to take the industry to the next level. Technology will continue to progress and I take this as a positive change.

challenges and achievements?” GHADI ALI - CEO SAUDI INTERNATIONAL FASHION COUNCIL

“It’s not easy to predict

what can happen in the next 5 or 10 years from now. As an expert, I can navigate that in five different aspects – creativity, transparency, emotion, simplicity and experience.

”

Saudi International Fashion Council was founded in 2019. What was your vision in establishing this platform? When I launched SIFC, my vision is to present and support all creative designers and entrepreneurs in Saudi and allow them to create a unique bridge with stakeholders. It was disappointing how some media companies focused on some big names and don’t pay attention to hundreds of inspiring designers, powerful women leaders working really hard to take Saudi fashion to the next level. Recently, SIFC organized the international women’s day campaign to convey a message of appreciation, thanks, and love to all creative and inspiring women in our Saudi society. We present powerful and inspiring women from different industries because women had always been the pillar and driving force.

What would be your advice to those who are aspiring to join the fashion industry? Be creative and don’t waste your energy thinking about the end results. Believe in your ability and follow your passion, because passion will drive your business to success. Surround yourself with great inspiring and positive people who will encourage you and provide you the best advice.

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From Managing the Store to becoming an International Brand DANTE KENNEDY - CEO v4texx Music Group LLC

usic does a lot of things for a lot of people. In retail, music affects the emotional state of its consumers. Music can move customers to spend money and increase or decrease their time shopping at your business. It all depends on you choosing the right music to fit your customers needs. Dante Kennedy has worked in both the retail and music sectors but now establishing his Music and Entertainment company full time as a Global Brand for the World’s most creative needs, its second nature for him to understand both sides of this story. The Retail People Magazine had an opportunity to have an exclusive interview with Dante Kennedy, CEO of V4texx Music Group LLC. Dante says that music can be an inspiration to people who need to be inspired, and that the description in colors, helps him to create a musical story.

Share brief info about yourself. I am an Artist, Musician, Creative and Music Director, Composer, Writer and Liaison. I also used to manage multi-million dollar flagship retail stores for 10 years.

Is music your passion? Who was your major influence to be in this craft? I come from a family of musicians. My family has made its mark in touring, being nominated and also won Grammys, Stellar Awards and more. Music has been my passion since I was a child. I was greatly influenced by my father and mother who are both performing artists from singing, writing and core musicianship.

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You’ve been on tour, performed on stage, what do you consider the most memorable achievement you are most proud of? Back in 2011, I was at the Ellen Degeneres Show as a Drum Tech and Stage Manager for Travie McCoy. I remember being there with our team and Ellen’s team early that morning. I walked around the studio and began to affirm that the next time I come back to Ellen I would be on drums performing. True enough, 3 years later I was on that stage performing in front of millions on TV. Another memorable achievement is when I was hired by Quincy Jones Productions in 2018 to work in Dubai for the Palazzo Versace Hotel residency program. This is definitely an amazing highlight in my career.

Music is a part of every known society and is common to all human cultures across the globe. When it comes to retail and shopping centres, how important does music play a role in these sectors? Music plays a big role in creating and enhancing the retail experience. Running stores for over a decade, I’ve seen the importance of music and its direct affect to the marketing and promotional strategies for the area’s demographic. Music is such a strong force when shopping. Listening to the right ambience of sound can determine the mood, excitement, sales, events, grand opening, closing ceremony, UPT’s (unit per transaction sale), gross margin and so forth. The atmosphere of music we create in stores has a direct impact on the customers’ experience which leads them to feel positive, confident and happy in their purchases.

Job Seekers Must Pass Digital Gatekeepers N

owadays, more companies use artificial intelligence software to screen their mountain of resumes from job applicants and getting seen by a human recruiter takes some effort. When companies made it simple to apply for a job online, applications poured in. To wade through this ever-rising tide of resumes, human resource departments are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence systems to pluck out the candidates deemed to be good fits. So while applying may be as easy as a mouse click, that resume is much more likely to be screened out into oblivion than end up in front of a recruiter. To avoid getting caught by the resume sifter, job seekers should understand the new systems, which have been spreading to more industries and positions.

How it works So-called predictive hiring tools evaluate resumes by finding keywords related to categories like skills, experience and education, and weighting them according to the job requirements and any other factors the hiring company has specified. The system may weigh applicants who have worked at certain companies more positively. It may infer how old a skill seems to be from where it appears in job history. The software systems can be less biased than human screeners because they can be programmed to ignore characteristics like age, sex, race and other protected categories.

Giving yourself the best shot Making it through the automated screening can require tailoring your resume including your cover letter to each job you are applying for. Those actions would help applicants to avoid automated rejection. Use keywords in your resume and cover letter that would be relevant for the position you seek. Match the words you use with the terminology and keywords from the job posting whether it is about knowledge, skills, experience and involvement. Words like “significant” or “strong” in a job description can be those skills that will be weighted heavily and should be emphasized in the descriptions of your current experience in your resume.

Bob Poline Bob Poline Associates Inc. Quantify wherever possible. “Managed a team of five that increased sales by 40% over two years” than “Managed a team that significantly increased sales.” Mention all your skills. The system may scan for specific experience, for example, the programming language.

More than your resume Additional tasks aimed to give a more complete picture to hiring managers and let applicants “tell their story.” The information from the resume, the tests and a transcript of the interview will be reviewed by artificial intelligence software. About 20% of those candidates will then speak to a recruiter. Asking more job seekers to do interviews does allow more candidates to demonstrate their suitability, but “it also means that there’s a bigger time commitment required at an earlier stage for more roles.” Employers aren’t doing a good job of being mindful of how much they are expecting from candidates. Pooling candidates who have all made it through the screening for their next level of evaluation, rather than ranking them by scores bestowed by the software, can help alleviate this effect. Frequent audits are needed to understand whom the system is screening in and out. It also needs to be designed with transparency, so humans can understand why an individual decision was made.

Don’t neglect other tools Job seekers must ensure that their LinkedIn profile is updated and includes recommendations from managers and colleagues. Twitter or other public social media accounts should include “digital breadcrumbs” or information highlighting skills, experiences and interests. Candidates should also seek out people inside their target companies that can refer them for the position. These referrals can significantly lift the chance of being hired. The more technical things get, the more you can get noticed by going old school.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

Post-Pandemic Retailers are Reinventing I

f 2020 was about survival, 2021 is about strategic reinvention as retailers redefine ‘normal’. From rethinking sales channels to reimagining floor space, refocusing sales strategy to rebooting loyalty, transformation has become a top priority for retailers. Despite disruption and unpredictability, several regional businesses have successfully created a retail ‘renaissance’ by overhauling processes, reevaluating channels and, importantly, by pivoting quickly. Examples to consider: Abu Dhabi-based retail conglomerate LIWA Trading Enterprises expanded its home business by adding new and relevant categories. While Saudi Arabiabased fashion and lifestyle retailer Fawaz A. Alhokair & Co. accelerated digital transformation to create an omnichannel presence in a matter of weeks.

Omnichannel isn’t a choice The pandemic was a “wake-up call” for Fawaz A. Alhokair & Co., making it clear that omnichannel was not a matter of choice. Within weeks, the retailer launched some of its brands on e-commerce marketplaces, while creating 14 mono-brand online sites within months. From 0.5%, online now accounts for 6.5% of the retailer’s overall sales, quite sizeable for a SAR6-billion business.

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Already a leader in the offline space in Saudi Arabia, the company’s strategy is to become an “exciting” lifestyle company offering an “unmatched” omnichannel experience. As a step in this direction, Fawaz A. Alhokair & Co. and mall operator Arabian Centres Company have acquired a majority stake (51%) in VogaCloset, a UK-based online fashion marketplace. Strategically timed, 17 of Fawaz A. Alhokair & Co.’s brands will be available on VogaCloset by Eid Al Fitr in May. “Our goal is to offer customers a flexible, convenient, entertaining and omnichannel shopping experience,” said Marwan Moukarzel, CEO, Fawaz A. Alhokair & Co. “That’s why, we decided to invest in a profitable online platform like VogaCloset, with a deep understanding of regional and global fashion trends. Almost 52% of VogaCloset’s sales already happen in Saudi Arabia. This will strengthen our future omnichannel strategy. We will gradually increase the range of brands on VogaCloset, adding 24 within a month of launch and several more before the year-end. Over the next three years, we have the option to completely acquire VogaCloset.”

Refocusing buying strategy With completely different market dynamics at play, most retailers were “stress-tested” and had to refocus their buying strategy aligned with customer needs. Amid a rapid decline in supply from five million

Rupkatha Bhowmick Writer & Content Strategist

Reinvention is key

to under-one million units for one of its franchised brands, LIWA Trading Enterprises decided to independently procure products to fill the gap. “We had to quickly refocus our buying strategy to protect sales and profitability. We had to analyse the demand for every product to optimise our business,” stressed LIWA CEO, Mark Tesseyman. “For example, we measure linear footage – return per square foot – for all our stores on a weekly basis to analyse category performance. This helps us to flex space based on performance, maximising the overperforming categories by buying more, while cutting back on underperforming ones.” Applying this buying strategy for its home brands DWELL and Simply Kitchen, LIWA has expanded the choice and product range within the same footprint. “We are now selling decorative accessories and furniture in DWELL, along with bath and bedding that used to be the primary categories. In fact, we are thinking of increasing the average size of the DWELL stores from 200 to 350-400 square metres in certain locations,” Tesseyman explained. In 2020, the home was the most profitable category for LIWA, followed by lingerie and leisurewear/loungewear. But fashion, especially occasion and formal wear has suffered.

Looking ahead, Euromonitor International estimates retail sales in the UAE, alone, to grow 6.6% annually in the medium term and reach $70.5 billion by 2025. As the GCC retail industry is preparing for the ‘next normal’ characterised by altered customer expectations and transformed retail dynamics, resetting traditional business models and reinvention will be crucial. With a total of 245 stores in the GCC, mid-March, LIWA stores were still 25% below the 2019 footfall. “But our sales are positive. We have opened two more Simply Kitchen and DWELL locations, and all are performing in line with expectations. Since March, traffic has also improved slightly in Dubai, although still well behind the 2019 numbers. In addition, stricter Covid-19 related measures in Qatar and Kuwait/Oman have further hindered traffic flows in markets that were performing ahead of expectations. We have to think of ways to optimise our space and maximise returns, by sourcing new products to create an exciting mix, while personalising our engagement strategy with customers. Irrespective of the pandemic, reinvention is the key to successful retailing. Every day is a learning curve.” Tesseyman stated. As opposed to “growing for the sake of growth,” Fawaz A. Alhokair & Co. is committed to creating a differentiated – channel-agnostic – shopping experience through a selection of leading brands under every category. “Doing business differently and constant evolution to meet the changing consumer expectations will be our key priorities. In the age of Instagram, our stores must be exciting and technology-enabled,” shared Moukarzel. “For this, we are revisiting our investments, prudently deciding locations and relevance of brands. There could also be consolidation.”

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MECS+R MEMBER’S SEGMENT

“Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect.” – Alan Cohen

GLOBAL ASSOCIATE PROGRAM We believe in the importance of education. It is the key element that an individual needs to become a professional in the industry.

Every day is a chance to start a new beginning. There are so many things that happened in 2020 when the pandemic struck. No one was prepared. The economy has been affected. Various industries experienced great losses. Although it was a challenging year, it was also a great opportunity to innovate and succeed in our businesses. To assist the retail industry to thrive, the Middle East Council of Shopping Centres & Retailers created and devised a new platform. We introduce the Global Associate Program (GAP). It is a new initiative to assist our members to connect, network, and at the same time, learn through the Gregory Vogt School (GVS) training. With thirty-six (36) recorded modules prepared by high-caliber instructors who have the experience and knowledge in our industry.

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Our learning program has various modules relevant to the disciplines of leasing, marketing, operations, property management, facilities management and customer experience. We have an integrated approach to placemaking, social media, communications and F&B. The course modules are 20 minutes sessions. We provide students with a thorough understanding of creating a customer-centric culture. We can help you build relationships, learn best practices, build a successful future and create a competitive advantage in the retail industry. Over the years, the MECS+R’s role is to facilitate your business, raise your personal and corporate profile locally, regionally and globally. We connect you to retail professionals who have the experience, knowledge and expertise you need to become successful. Whether you are just starting your career or a seasoned professional, our team is here to support you in any way you may need. You will gain confidence, experience and connections to build an exciting career. For more info, visit our website: https://gap.mecsc.org/ and watch this video: http:// bit.ly/MECSR_GlobalAssociateProgram

David Macadam - CEO MECS+R

MECS+R MEMBER’S SEGMENT

“Innovation is taking two things that exist and putting them together in a new way.” – Tom Freston The Middle East Council of Shopping Centres and Retailers is proud to inform you that we are introducing a new initiative. We are dedicated to the shopping centre and retail industry. Our role is to support and help our members in their businesses. With more than two decades in the industry, the MECS+R team is using our expertise to help you conduct your business. We are innovating your business.

WeServeU exists to provide back-office support for Shopping Centres and Retailers:

Creative Marketing Support – We can provide you with cuttingedge artwork and graphic designs. Corporate Brochures. Web Design and Development. Podcast & Webcast Creation and Management. WeServeU will deliver innovative creative designs that tell a story.

Marketing Support – Whether you need PR & Marketing, Social Media Management handlers, Video Editing and Promotion or Event Management, WeServeU can provide these services for you.

HR Support – An important aspect of every company is Human Resources. You need the right people at the right time. WeServeU provides the best HR networks in the industry. Our comprehensive database will ensure your success.

Administrative Support – Are you looking for Accounting Services, Procurement, Supplier/Vendor Database? Starting up your business and need to be connected within the industry? Let WeServeU help you in providing administrative support that delivers cost-effective and efficient services.

WeServeU is our platform which you can hire. We provide back-of-house services to support your business. Call us today for a quotation.

WeServeU is our new initiative reaching out to our members.

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David Macadam - CEO MECS+R

Your

Back-ofﬁce Support Services HELPING ORGANIZATION INNOVATE TRANSFORM AND LEAD RETAIL

Our Services! Marketing Support

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We offer PR & Marketing, Social Media Management, Video Editing and Promotion or Event Management, from initial stages to the ﬁnal production and promotion.

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We consider all the drivers of change – Accounting Services, Procurement and Supplier/Vendor Database that delivers cost-effective and efﬁcient services.

Creative Marketing Support We provide cutting-edge Artwork and Graphic Designs, from Corporate Brochures, Web Design and Development to Podcast & Webcast creation and management.

HR Support

Take advantage of our valuable resources backed with 27+ years of corporate background. We understand your needs, we listen, and we create a plan that is tailored speciﬁcally for you and your business.

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Suite 207, Ofﬁce 11, One Central Building Ofﬁces 2, DWTC, Sheikh Zayed Road P.O. Box 9292, Dubai, UAE

FEATURED MEMBER

One-on-One With ... Alessandro Gaffuri is the Founder & CEO of CELS Group, a network of international experts that foster and manage customer engagement and experiences. Customer Engagement Loyalty Solutions (CELS) is a European-based company that originated in Italy. With 5 independent business units operating in strategic marketing & consultancy, events & activations, decorative lighting, musicals & shows, customer engagement & loyalty platforms - they are all connected to build loyal relationships with customers and strengthen the bond with the community. Recognized as one of the leading experts in retail and real estate marketing and management, Gaffuri is also a Board Member of MECS+R.

What’s your why? What’s your motivation? My “why” is aligned with the fulfillment of my dream and to share that dream with the great people that work with CELS Group. I believe that emotions drive behaviour and my core “why” is to create Favourite Meeting Places - places where culture, art, food, music and entertainment provide experiences that truly engage people. I have been working in real estate and large events for years, first in my home country Italy, and then 7 years ago, I decided to share my experience with the GCC market, for its potential interest in my WHY and for the appealing budgets to work on that approach. The result of this decision birthed an international group that employs about 50 people who collaborate to create unique shareable experiences for families, friends and tourists for some of the most important malls, governments and developers across Europe and the Arabian Peninsula.

How do you imagine the future of shopping centers? The shopping centres of the future will no longer be just places to go to the supermarket, go to the shop, bank or a business lunch. The process started 20 years ago and just a few developers saw this coming. The current model as we know, it is no longer sustainable. Therefore shopping centers of the future will be places where the core intention of venues are designed for moments to be shared, to acuminate cultural aggregation and belonging. They will be perceived Favourite Meeting Places a heart of the community, where real emotional experience carries the same weight, if not more, as the shopping-related interests.

How did you build trust among your customers?

Nationality

: Italian

Job Title

: Founder & CEO

We believe in the power of why and how it influences both the input and output - with passion and dedication, both in what we do and how we do it. We build relationships amongst our clients, and in return, they feel our strong desire to introduce comprehensive ideas that support them achieve their business goals. With my suitcase always ready to go, I believe in building and managing relationships in person. 2020’s travel halt made us question how we can improve and build trust in relationships virtually, and it showed nothing beats the traditional and emotional face-to-face method of meeting, seeing and experiencing a place and its people to develop the most suitable and differentiating experience for our clients.

Company

: CELS Group

How do you generate new ideas and how do you keep up with technological progress?

School

American School of :

Name (short name) : Alessandro

Bahrain Birthday

: 18 March

Hobbies

: Tennis, Horse Riding, Jogging

Place of Birth

: Bologna

Full Name

: Alessandro Gaffuri

Quote: “In everything I do, I BELIEVE in bringing people together, I BELIEVE in the power of human relationships, and that emotions drive behavior.”

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Studying, foreseeing trends, through MECS+R networks and surrounding myself with innovative and creative people; keeping a mindset that there is always a new lesson around the corner. Lastly, paying attention to innovations, even those that at first, might not seem related to our business. Today every technological innovation may lead to a revolution in its area, the joining of two completely unconnected components. Understanding what is destined to impact your sector means not only being aligned with technological progress but knowing how to use it at its best.

Sharjah’s Sahara Centre Eyes Second-Quarter Launch For New Retail Section Sahara Centre’s new extension, which is located in the west wing of the mall, is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2021. Visitors will be able to access new retail stores, leisure and dining options including a landscaped outdoor area. “We are really excited about our new extension at Sahara Centre as we aim to further enhance the overall customer experience for our visitors - we have added some great brands to our portfolio and more variety to our retail mix across categories,” said Akram Ammar, Managing Director, Sahara City. The area will feature fashion and lifestyle brands including LC Waikiki, Centrepoint, CCC, Forever 21, and Hush Puppies, among others. “Despite the pandemic, we have leased out 80% of the new extension already - once complete, it will add a whole new dimension to the mall,” said Ammar. It will also feature a section dedicated to beauty including a beauty salon, a spa as well as cosmetics and fragrance stores. Source: Gulf News (https://bit.ly/3xu0mnJ)

LuLu to Add Three More Hypermarkets in Dubai in 2021, Opens New One at Silicon Oasis The LuLu Group has plans to add a further three hypermarkets in Dubai this year, at Satwa, Mankhool and fast-emerging Dubai South. In Sharjah, there will be ones in Buteena and Samnan in Sharjah, while in Abu Dhabi, openings are scheduled for Riyadh City, Shamkha, and Al Wathba. The retailer opened one of its biggest locations – a 184,000 square feet store on two levels at Dubai Silicon Oasis, which now has a resident base of 90,000. Also, the opening was a 30,000 square feet e-commerce fulfillment centre in Al Quoz. “This new logistics hub will definitely strengthen our regional operations with safe, convenient, and faster service in organising orders,” said Ashraf Ali, Executive Director at LuLu. “We are also working hand in hand with our global contact centre in India for customer service support to better reach and serve our shoppers, as we expect a significant increase in the coming months.” Source: Gulf News (https://bit.ly/32GpFEI)

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Saudi Retailer Kamal Osman Jamjoom Buys Out Body Shop Stores in UAE All of The Body Shop stores in the UAE have been acquired by Kamal Osman Jamjoom (KOJ) Group, the retailer that owns the Nayomi, Moda, Mihyar, and Mikyajy brands. This follows the buyout of the distribution and physical store network from The Body Shop Stores (UAE). This is also one of the more significant deals to emerge in the local brick-andmortar space in the recent past. KOJ is already well acquainted with the UK beauty brand, having represented it in the western Saudi Arabia territory. “With this expansion into the UAE, we are thrilled to offer The Body Shop products to a broader customer base across the GCC, and to reinforce our successful partnership with The Body Shop International,” said Hisham Al Amoudi, Group CEO of KOJ. “We founded our company almost 35 years ago with the launch of The Body Shop

in eastern Saudi Arabia. This investment now makes us the largest franchise operation for The Body Shop International in the MENA market.”

Kamal Osman Jamjoom owns and operates 650 outlets across the region for its many brands. Source: Gulf News (https://bit.ly/3erih5t)

Virgin Hyperloop Eyes Commercial Pilot by 2024, Says CEO Virgin Hyperloop is targeting 2024 for the launch of its first commercial pilot systems, said the company’s new CEO.

“In future, it will be possible to cross the Gulf faster than Manhattan [New York],” Giegel added.

“We will deploy the working system and afterward the passenger systems will shortly come into play in the late 2020s,” Josh Giegel, Co-Founder told Arabian Business, adding that the first route may be launched in Saudi Arabia as “it’s a big market for us.”

Virgin says its technology – which would see pressurised trains travel though tunnels at the speed of aeroplanes – could eventually transport 50 million passengers per year across the Gulf.

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Travelling from Riyadh to Jeddah would take just 46 minutes with a hyperloop instead of one and a half hours by plane. In November, Virgin Hyperloop trialled its first journey with passengers in Nevada, US. In the trial, two passengers – one of which was Giegel – travelled a 500 metres test track in 15 seconds, reaching 172km per hour. Virgin is aiming to eventually run the trains at 1000km per hour. Source: Arabian Business (Read More: https://bit.ly/32LvxN0)

How Brands For Less is Mapping a Positive Course Through Covid-19 Pandemic The founding partner and CEO of budget retail outfit Brands For Less (BFL), Toufic Kreidieh, described a visit to one of their many stores as a “treasure hunt”, with bargains to be had on various designer labels. However, some could argue that it is he who has struck gold in the past 12 months, despite the continuing coronavirus pandemic. “Brands for Less is an off-price retailer. We really grow when there is a crisis taking place and this was the case during Covid-19 where we were able to grab very good opportunities in different places. We acquired a lot of properties, we signed a lot of deals and good contracts,” he told Arabian Business. The company, which was founded by Kreidieh and Yasser Beydoun in 1996, opening their first store in Lebanon, launched 11 new stores during 2020 and has a current pipeline of 14 other stores set to open their doors this year. Kreidieh said: “We were signing contracts left, right and centre because it was a buyers’ market, everyone was worried and we were lucky to really grab opportunities.” And he said he is happy to put his faith in the future of bricks-and-mortar stores in the region’s shopping malls, despite the

changing shopping habits adopted as a result of the Covid crisis. Earlier this year Emaar Malls announced a 25% drop in revenue for 2020, year-on-year and profits tumbled by 69% as the company felt the full force of the pandemic. While malls giant Majid Al Futtaim recorded a 7% drop in revenue to AED32.6 billion. Kreidieh said: “Our presence in the malls increased. In the beginning, they were extremely expensive, but as everything goes in business, it’s supply and demand. Today the malls have more space that they want to sell. They look at us today as a traffic-puller, so what they do is strike a good deal with them of paying an extremely for less rent and in exchange, you will create the buzz and they will rent the areas around our stores.” BFL, which includes concepts such as Toys For Less, Homes For Less, Tchibo, and MUMUSO, boasts over 50 outlets in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malta, Spain and Saudi Arabia. After opening their first store in Oman in 2020, lease contracts have been signed for two further outlets in the Sultanate. While a store in Kuwait has been ready to open “for the past three months”, but has been delayed as a result of the Covid-19 restrictions.

Kreidieh said they are currently negotiating for the first store in Qatar and talks are taking place in regard to Saudi Arabia. They are opening their fourth store in Malta with the fifth one under construction and plans to break into Easter Europe. “Our first real existence, in terms of an expansion, happened in 2008, when everyone was fleeing Dubai and everyone was leaving their cars behind etc. We really benefited from that period of time to really cement our business,” he said. “We took this opportunity again and we really benefited from this cycle on many levels,” he added. BFL also invested in a 27,000 square metre warehouse facility in Jebel Ali, which will operate as the centre to cater to the company’s online demand. It was previously revealed that the company had invested $12 million in its eCommerce activities, with plans to grow its online presence to 50% of total operations in the next five years. “Our type of retail is a little bit different. It’s a treasure hunt experience. You cannot hunt these brands sitting at home. You have to go there personally and look for them and hunt for them and come out really victorious from the hunt,” he said. “It’s a treasure hunt experience that’s hand-in-hand with the brick-and-mortar, but this doesn’t mean that you cannot grow on the other side.” Source: Arabian Business (https://bit.ly/3gEhqkG)

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Fourteen Retailers Expanding in 2021 Not all retailers are downsizing their physical assets in the wake of the pandemic. Far from it. So far this year, retailers in the U.S. have announced 3,199 store openings and 2,548 closures, according to Coresight Research (per CNBC). In 2019, retailers announced 4,548 openings, up from 3,747 in 2018. The good news: To date in 2021, openings are already tracking to the top each year prior. Here are 14 retailers opening stores in 2020 — and beyond. The German discount grocer is adding 100 U.S. stores in 2021, with the locations focused on Arizona, Florida, California and the Northeast.

The apparel retailer continues to focus on its intimates brand, Aerie, expanding it from about 350 stores to approximately 400 locations by the end of this year. It expects to have 500 to 600 Aerie stores in 2023.

The off-pricer, which ended the year with 761 stores nationwide, expanded its long-term store count potential to 2,000 stores, up from its previous target of 1,000 stores https:// chainstoreage.com/burlington-stores-open100-stores-2021-cites-significant-marketshare-opportunity. It expects to open 100 new locations in its current fiscal year.

The value retailer, which specializes in apparel, accessories and home goods primarily for African American and Latinx customers, expects to open at least 30 stores and remodel 30 locations this year. With 585 stores in 33

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states, Citi Trends plans to open at least 100 new stores and remodel at least 150 locations by the end of 2023.

The discounter’s plans for its current fiscal year include opening 1,050 stores, remodeling 1,750 sites and relocating 100 stores. Looking further out, Dollar General sees the opportunity to roughly double its store count, which stood at 17,177 locations at the end of January.

The discounter plans to open 600 stores and renovate 1,250 Family Dollar locations this year, with the openings consisting of 400 Dollar Tree stores and 200 Family Dollar stores.

The activewear fashion brand will open 24 stores across the nation in 2021, expanding its brick-and-mortar presence to 74 U.S. locations by year-end.

The value tween and teen retailer remains one of the few specialty retailers that is not pulling back on brick-and-mortar growth. Five Below plans to open 170 to 180 new stores in 2021, up from 120 last year, and will enter two new states — Utah and New Mexico — as its footprint expands to 40 states. The company ended the year with more than 1, 050 stores. Lidl US is revving up its expansion along the East Coast. The German discount grocer plans to open 50 new stores by the end of 2021, with

locations in Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia.

The off-pricer will open approximately 60 new stores — 40 Ross Dress for Less and 20 dd’s Discounts locations — during fiscal 2021. Long-term, the retailer remains confident that Ross can grow to 2,400 stores (up from its current 1,866 location) and dd’s Discounts to 600 stores.

In the largest store expansion plan in its 21-year history in the United States, the global beauty giant will open more than 60 freestanding stores and 200 shop-in-shop locations in Kohl’s stores this year

The organic grocer will open some 20 stores this year, including 10 in the Sunshine State. The discounter recently announced it is accelerating new store openings, opening 30 to 40 stores annually. It also expects to ramp up its store re-model program this year and complete approximately 150 in time for the holiday season. It plans to remodel more than 200 stores a year beginning in 2022.

The beauty giant’s plans for this year include 40 new stores and 21 remodels or relocations. Source: Chain Store Age (https://bit.ly/31N4ksQ)

Emirates NBD Rebounds with 12% Jump in 1st Quarter Profit as Economy Recovers

New IKEA Store on Track to Open in Oman in 2022

Emirates NBD, Dubai’s biggest lender by assets, said its 1st quarter profit rebounded on the back of lower impairment losses and operating expenses as the economy recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic. Net profit attributable to equity holders of the group for the period ending March 31 rose to Dh2.32 billion, the lender said in a statement to the Dubai Financial Market, where its shares trade. Impairments fell 31% to Dh1.76bn and operating expenses dropped 9% to Dh1.86bn. Shayne Nelson, Group Chief Executive of Emirates NBD, said, “During the period, Emirates NBD expanded its branch network in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with new branches in Madinah and Makkah.” Emirates NBD became the first foreign bank to get permission to open branches in Madinah and Makkah and its total branch network in Saudi Arabia now stands at six. Source: The National (Read More https://bit.ly/3tGXth1)

Construction of one of the largest IKEA stores in the Middle East is on schedule and is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2022. The Swedish furniture giant will open next year at Oman Avenues Mall amid a four-phase transformation plan. Driving positive changes to host IKEA, new parking spaces are being created at Oman Avenues Mall to help cope with additional footfalls. While the basement parking is all set to open after a major revamp allowing for larger capacity parking, an additional parking in the basement is under development. Plans to augment the road network around the mall are also progressing to make the shopping experience better. The road connections and development are being fulfilled by Al Taher Group, the developers of Oman Avenues Mall. Gogi George, General Manager, Development and & Leasing, Lulu Group International said: “We are pleased to welcome IKEA – the world’s largest home furnishing retailer – to Oman. We are excited to be partnering with an innovative brand like IKEA. Source: Arabian Business (Read More: https://bit.ly/3e7GgrI )

Chipotle to Open 200 New Locations in 2021

First Look: Amazon’s New High-Tech Hair Salon

Amazon is entering yet another brick-and-market segment and this one could be the most unexpected to date. The tech giant will open its first-ever hair salon, in London’s hip Spitafields district, where it said it will trial the “latest industry technology,” including augmented reality hair consultations that will allow customers to see what a new color or style looks like on them before they make the change. Hair care services at the two-floor, 1,500 sqft. Amazon Salon will be provided by a noted London salon. “We have designed this salon for customers to come and experience some of the best technology, hair care products and stylists in the industry,” said John Boumphrey, U.K. country manager, Amazon. “We want this unique venue to bring us one step closer to customers, and it will be a place where we can collaborate with the industry and test new technologies.” Source: Chain Store Age (Read More https://bit.ly/3et1leX)

Athleta to Open 20 to 30 Stores Annually; to Enter Canada

Levi’s Offers 24/7 Customer Service with Google Messaging Platform

Chipotle Mexican Grill smashed first-quarter earnings expectations amid a 17.2% rise in samestore sales. The fast-casual chain anticipates opening 200 new restaurants in 2021, assuming minimal construction and permit delays related to COVID-19, the company said. Chipotle opened 40 new sites during the first quarter and closed five, bringing its total store count to 2,803. It is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants. “As vaccines roll out and we get closer to moving past this pandemic, I believe Chipotle is wellpositioned for growth,” said Brian Niccol, Chairman and CEO, Chipotle. “I’m excited about our future as we remain focused on innovating in culinary, leading in food with integrity, and providing convenient access inside our restaurants and through our expanding digital ecosystem.” Source: Chain Store Age (Read More: https://bit.ly/3tNZhVx)

A leading denim brand is integrating Google Business Messages into its customer experience strategy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Levi Strauss & Co. found that customers were spending more time conducting pre-purchase research. The company determined that being able to provide customers with information around the clock in an easily accessible way could greatly improve interest and engagement, and eventually purchase behavior. Levi’s worked with Linc Global to set up Google Business Messages on Google Maps for five and then 50 stores, before expanding to more than 200 stores. The company discovered that Google Business Messages brought in customer satisfaction (CSAT) scores of over 85%, and drove 30 times more store-related questions than its proprietary onsite web chat. Source: Chain Store Age (Read More: https://bit.ly/3dNJwrX)

Gap Inc. is expanding its popular women’s athletic apparel brand — and not just in the United States. Athleta plans to open between 20 and 30 stores annually across North America in line with its goal of doubling the business by 2023. As part of the expansion, the brand will enter the home turn of rival Lululemon. Athleta will launch online in Canada this summer, and will open its first-ever Canadian stores this fall, at Yorkdale Shopping Center in North York, Ontario, and Park Royal Shopping Centre in West Vancouver, British Columbia. Gap said it will consider wholesale partnerships and international expansion through franchise-operated stores to grow Athleta globally. It currently has a franchise model and wholesale business for Athleta in the UK. Source: Chain Store Age (Read More: https://bit.ly/3aP3C34)

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PICNIC

SQUARE COMING SOON

A transformation of the traditional food-court to a market-style dining hub. Set to become the heart of our family friendly community mall, the unique new concept will incorporate stylish, new functional dining areas; greenery filled and open welcoming spaces. For leasing inquiries: sreejith@tscuae.ae Times Square Center Dubai TimesSquareDXB timessquarecenter.ae Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Quoz, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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RETAIL PEOPLE MAGAZINE ISSUE 27 - DISCOVERING NEW RETAIL CONCEPT

Articles inside

Athleta to Open 20 to 30 Stores Annually; to Enter Canada Fourteen Retailers Expanding in 2021

LuLu to Add Three More Hypermarkets in Dubai in 2021, Opens New One at Silicon Oasis Saudi Retailer Kamal Osman Jamjoom Buys Out Body Shop Stores in UAE

Emirates NBD Rebounds with 12% Jump in 1st Quarter Profit as Economy Recovers

Sharjah’s Sahara Centre Eyes Second Quarter Launch for New Retail Section

Post-Pandemic Retailers are Reinventing

Global Associate Program

Job Seekers Must Pass Digital Gatekeepers

From Managing the Store to becoming an International Brand

We Bring Retail Concepts to Life

Malls of the Future

Dhamani 1969 Opens at the Prestigious Burj Al Arab Hotel

WELCOME REMARKS

How to Create an Omni-channel Experience

Lighting up your World

Navigate the Fashion Industry Evolution in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Transform your Business by Streamlining your Operations and Processes