The Retail Leaders Circle is convening its 9th MENA Summit in Riyadh as regional consumer habits adapt to historic inflation levels. The highly anticipated annual event is the major strategic platform for the retail industry. It brings together regional and global decision-makers to discuss the industry’s trends and how companies can respond strategically to the changing competitive environment. The event will be held in Riyadh from March 7 – 8, 2023.
The retail sector will contribute $308 billion (SAR 1.16 trillion) to the GCC economy in 2023, approximately 14 per cent of the region’s non-oil GDP. Saudi Arabia’s sector is forecast to grow to $159 billion (SAR 596 billion) by 2024. According to the General Authority for Statistics, retail accounted for 22.8 per cent of Saudi’s non-oil GDP as of the third quarter of 2022.
Yet research suggests that inflation is weighing on consumer sentiment. According to a recent Ipsos survey, 39 per cent of respondents placed inflation at the top of their list of concerns. Inflation reached 10 per cent in 2022 as retailers faced supply chain issues and price increases.
“This is an opportune moment to gather the region’s cross-sector leadership to examine the industry’s emerging trends. Consumer behaviour and preferences are constantly evolving, putting new competitive pressures on businesses,” said Panos Linardos, Chairman of Retail Leaders Circle. “We are delighted to return to Riyadh for the third time to explore how companies can navigate this new landscape and drive growth in an increasingly digital economy.”
The focus of the 2023 Summit is ‘Digital Economy and Purposeful Growth.’ The event brings together innovative voices from all perspectives, backgrounds, and geographies to take stock of the industry amid rapid reinvention, managing ongoing business disruptions and charting a new commercial blueprint for the future.
Cenomi, Saudi Arabia’s biggest retailer, will participate in the Summit as a strategic partner. Mohamad Mourad, the Managing Director and CEO of Cenomi Group, said, “Having recently undergone a significant transformation with the launch of the Cenomi brand, we look forward to continuing to lead and drive the conversation around the future of retail and lifestyle in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As a strategic partner of the Retail Leaders Circle Summit in Riyadh, I look forward to the opportunity to debate new ideas and insights shaping the sector as well as the future growth prospects for both the retail trade and the country.”
The Summit hosts thought-provoking sessions, task-force roundtables and engaging live experiences. Influential C-suite leaders, industry pioneers, policymakers, innovators, investors and analysts will explore the impact of the new digital era on entrepreneurship, innovation and collaboration.
“Hosting the Summit in Riyadh underlines the Kingdom’s significant growth potential to retail business leaders and brands from across the region and around the globe. We recognize the challenges and opportunities of this new era. Our goal is to elevate the industry narrative by leveraging our collective power and expertise to drive positive change,” said Panos Linardos. “The ninth Retail Leaders Circle significantly supports the region’s efforts to build a new model of extraordinary retail and commerce experiences within a digital, inclusive and sustainable ecosystem.”