Cenomi, one of Saudi Arabia’s biggest retailers, has appointed three new Chief Technology and Information Officers dedicated to reinforce its digital strategy. The three CTIOs will overlook Cenomi Group, Cenomi Centers and Cenomi Retail respectively.
The group is looking to expand its e-commerce strategy, with its e-marketplace Cenomi.com expected to launch sometime this year. In a statement, the company said it wants to follow a digital-first, customer-centric approach across all operations.
Last year, the Fawaz Alhokair Group, together with Arabian Centres and Fawaz Alhokair Fashion Retail Co, underwent a full rebranding that united all the operating companies under the concept of Cenomi in Saudi Arabia.
Binoo Joseph joins as CTIO of Cenomi Group, Lijo Kankapadan as CTIO, Cenomi Centers, with Sunil Nair taking on the role of CTIO for Cenomi Retail.
The company has ambitious plans to develop and implement a world-class omnichannel presence in Saudi Arabia. The creation of these new roles is further testament to the pace at which the company aims to launch its customer-centric strategy, redefining the retail and lifestyle landscape for consumers across the country. At the heart of this lies the upcoming launch of the Cenomi ecommerce marketplace. The 100-strong team behind Cenomi.com is expected to double this year, helping deliver an entirely new online shopping experience for Saudi consumers, with access to some of the world’s most-loved brands, offering in-country fulfilment and delivery services.
“A core pillar of success for our organisation is the strength and scale of our digital infrastructure and appetite to enable transformation through a digital-first business strategy,” said Mohamad Mourad, CEO and Managing Director, Cenomi Group.
Mourad’s own career is steeped in technology, having spent a significant part of his career in technology companies, including in Silicon Valley. “It has always been clear for me that investment in world-class digital infrastructure and technology is a non-negotiable, integral area of focus for Cenomi,” he adds. “It will underpin our journey in 2023 and beyond. Not only through the launch of Cenomi.com, but also by providing next-level customer service and experience through a seamless digitised consumer journey. I look forward to working closely with Binoo, Lijo and Sunil to drive this integral part of our business strategy.”
Binoo joins Cenomi Group with more than 20 years of multinational experience as an exceptional technology, product and engineering leader. He has led teams and projects across India, the UK, the US, Europe, China, Singapore and the Middle East. Working with some of the world’s largest and most prominent retail, hospitality and technology companies, including Tesco, Wipro and Damac Properties, and most recently as CTIO of Emaar Group.
Lijo, joining Cenomi Centers, has been transforming organisations through digital innovation for more than 25 years. He brings strong expertise in developing new capabilities, enhancing customer experience and developing high-performance teams to deliver holistic digital journeys, most recently as Technology Leader – Business Verticals (Malls, Hospitality & Entertainment) with Emaar Group.
Sunil brings close to three decades of experience to his role with Cenomi Retail. As a global digital and technology transformation strategist, Sunil has held diverse strategic and operational leadership roles with multinational organisations. He has expertise across retail, consumer, healthcare, manufacturing and omni channel/ecommerce. He joins Cenomi Retail from his position as Group Chief Information Office with GMG, the leading global well-being retailer and distributor.
Cenomi is one of the kingdom’s largest vertically integrated lifestyle and retail organisations in Saudi Arabia.
Cenomi Centers is the owner, operator and developer of contemporary lifestyle malls and centres in Saudi Arabia, which was founded in 2002 as Arabian Centres. It runs 21 commercial centres and complexes, with more than 4,300 stores, located strategically throughout 10 cities in the Kingdom.
Cenomi Retail was formed as Fawaz A. Alhokair & Co in 1990 by Fawaz, Salman and Abdulmajeed Alhokair. Since the opening of its first store in 1991, Cenomi Retail now operates 1,684 stores across 100 shopping malls in 11 countries, with a workforce of more than 10,500. Cenomi Retail currently represents around 85 brands, spanning womenswear, menswear, kids and baby, department stores, shoes and accessories, cosmetics in addition to operating a series of restaurants and coffee shops.
