Digital economy to take centre stage at ninth Retail Leaders Circle Mena Summit

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The Ninth Retail Leaders Circle Mena Summit, which will commence on March 7 in Riyadh, has said that addressing challenges in the digital economy will be the main talking point at the conference.

As such, funds transfer company Visa will be the event’s partner for the fourth consecutive year.

Ali Bailoun, Visa’s regional GM for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman, said: “The unprecedented growth in digital commerce during the pandemic has prompted retailers to evolve how they engage with customers who increasingly seek seamless and secure payment experiences.”

“In fact, four in five consumers we surveyed in Saudi Arabia would switch retailers based on the payment methods offered, with digital payments – especially contactless – preferred over cash.”

“Through our sponsorship of Retail Leaders Circle we will explore how Visa, together with our local industry partners, can help the retail sector in Saudi Arabia and the region better leverage the exciting growth opportunities of the digital economy.”

Chaloub Group is also a partner for the event.

Patrick Chaloub, Group President at Chalhoub Group, said: “To inspire, exhilarate and delight our customers, it takes a group of like-minded leaders, retailers and government bodies to create a seamless value chain in retail from the first step to the last mile.

“Such conversations and engagements always take place professionally during the Retail Leaders Circle in Riyadh. Our partnership goes beyond the event, as we continue to collaborate to shape and grow the future of the Kingdom’s and region’s retail sector.”

The summit will also host a retail exhibition, which this year will include an exhibition of some of Saudi Arabia’s home-grown brands, presented by the Saudi 100 Brands initiative under the Saudi Fashion Commission. Digital platforms including TikTok and Snap will also be represented, showcasing innovative ways to reach the modern connected consumer.

“The Retail Leaders Circle Mena Summit is more than an opportunity to network and learn from the sector’s leading thinkers; it is also a platform that supports delegates seeking to do business at scale,” said Panos Linardos, Chairman of the Retail Leaders Circle.

“We recognise 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.”

The summit’s lineup of speakers comprises the most influential voices in the regional retail sector. Speakers include Ali Bailoun, Regional GM for KSA, Bahrain and Oman at Visa; Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission; Patrick Chalhoub, Group President of Chalhoub Group; John Hadden, CEO of Alshaya Group and Ahmed Ismail, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Holding.

Also speaking at the conference will be Renuka Jagtiani, Chairwoman of Landmark Group; Faraz Khalid, CEO of noon; Amin Magrabi, Chairman of MAGRABi Group; and Mohamad Mourad, managing director and CEO of Cenomi Group.

International speakers include Peter Fader, Professor of Marketing at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania; Matthew Shay, the President and CEO of the U.S. National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association; Michael Ward, Managing Director of Harrods and Zia Daniell Wigder, Chief Content Officer at Insider Intelligence.

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