{"id":17304,"date":"2023-03-08T08:17:38","date_gmt":"2023-03-08T08:17:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meretailnews.com\/?p=17304"},"modified":"2023-03-08T08:22:57","modified_gmt":"2023-03-08T08:22:57","slug":"meet-10-inspirational-women-in-middle-east-retail-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meretailnews.com\/2023\/03\/08\/meet-10-inspirational-women-in-middle-east-retail-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet 10 inspirational women in Middle East retail"},"content":{"rendered":"
These women are neither ranked nor picked based on any set criteria, but are all formidable women driving the region\u2019s retail sector, through leadership roles in corporate organisations and as entrepreneurs.\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Mona <\/span>Ataya, CEO, <\/span>Mumzworld<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mona Ataya is co-founder and CEO of Mumzworld, the Middle East\u2019s biggest online retailer of all things \u2018mother, baby and child\u2019.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Her initiative for launching the online retailer came from her own experience as a mother to three, while juggling her role as co-founder and an executive of Bayt.com, a leading job site in the region.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ms Ataya struggled to find high-quality, well-priced products for her children. Information about baby products was also scarce, especially in Arabic.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Mumzworld aims to provide objective, accurate information in Arabic and English about all of the products it sells, so mothers are well informed before making a purchase. It\u2019s also a social platform for mothers to share their stories, a community Ms Ataya felt she lacked as a mother.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cEverything we do is about empowering women and that starts with the customer \u2013 the mother, who is empowered to make informed decisions for her children,\u201d Ms Ataya told <\/span>Harper\u2019s Bazaar Arabia<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n According to Mumzworld, the \u2018mother, baby and child market\u2019 in the region is valued at $10 billion, with e-commerce growing at 39 per cent annually, projecting steady growth.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Tamer Group, Saudi Arabian healthcare and consumer goods conglomerate, recently acquired a majority stake in the company.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ms Ataya plans to expand Mumzworld into North Africa and the Levant.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sima Ganwani Ved, co-founder & chairwoman, Apparel<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sima Ganwani Ved is co-founder and chairwoman of the Apparel group, a leading retailer conglomerate in the Middle East.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With her father having his own retail conglomerate, Lal\u2019s Group, that manages Daiso, Homes R Us and Carter\u2019s, Ms Ved experienced the UAE\u2019s retail scene from a very young age. After completing university in London, she returned to the UAE and joined her father\u2019s business alongside her brother, where she began to learn the nuances of retail.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n On the advice of her father, she soon started her own retail business to avoid potential sibling rivalry.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>At the time, this felt unjust and sexist; however, today I am grateful that he put me through this journey which taught me how to survive and thrive,\u201d Ms Ved told <\/span>Authority Magazine.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ved sold the gold she and her husband received as wedding gifts and used the amassed $12,000 to start the Apparel group.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The multi-billion-dollar conglomerate houses more than 75 brands in 1,850 stores across 14 countries. According to Rocket Reach, its average yearly revenue amounts to $218 million.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Of global gender inequality, Ved said, \u201cWe need to acknowledge that gender inequality is not a women\u2019s issue, but a human issue.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ved strives to be an example for women in her company and urges them to pursue business ventures themselves.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cLeading by example is the most critical way to exemplify what we stand for. Within my company, we encourage an entrepreneurial mindset.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBeing the top female leader within the company, I constantly share my journey with peers and let them use me as a sounding board for ideas they may have. For now, I am working on increasing the female diversity in our senior leadership team, which will hopefully instil confidence in them to start their own company.”<\/span><\/p>\n Yasmine Khamis, non-executive chairwoman, Oriental Weavers<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Yasmine Khamis is non-executive chairwoman of Oriental Weavers, an Egyptian-based rug manufacturer and retailer with a global presence. Its three production facilities in the United States, Egypt and China serve more than 150 countries worldwide.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ms Khamis\u2019s father founded the company in 1979 and handed over operations to her and her sister in 1999. From factory workers to executives, the industry doubted the sisters.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ms Khamis initially joined as product development manager. Today, she is credited with the company\u2019s increased sales, entry into new markets and market share growth.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021, Oriental Weavers\u2019 revenues hit $726 million, with a net profit of $65 million, reported financial website <\/span>Investing<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ms Khamis values her achievements on a human level, rather than a career accomplishment: \u201cBeyond our success, I am proud of the additional support and growth opportunities we provide our employees and their families beyond the walls of our factories,” she told <\/span>Home Furnishing News<\/span><\/i>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ms Khamis is also co-founder of The Doodle Factory, a brand that uses children\u2019s artwork to design pencil cases, handbags and placemats. Proceeds from sales go back to the children or fund medical, educational and sheltering needs in Egyptian communities.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ms Khamis said the company \u201cbrings beauty back to the community\u201d, <\/span>Arab News<\/span><\/i> reported.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Her aim with The Doodle Factory is to \u201ccreate a brand and an organisation that really helps the children it promises to help. Our purpose is to create designs and products using children\u2019s creativity and playfulness to pay for a better life for them\u201d.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhen a child draws and then gets clean water in their house in a rural area, they are not just helping themselves, they are helping their family and the community. The impact is huge for them,\u201d she said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The brand sells over 20,000 products yearly in Egypt, empowering Egyptian children and communities.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sophie Doireau, CEO, Cartier Middle East, Africa and India<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Appointed last year, Sophie Doireau is the first female CEO of Cartier for Middle East, Africa and India<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In her short time as CEO, Ms Doireau has expanded Cartier\u2019s operations in Turkey and launched its e-commerce platforms in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The company\u2019s UAE operations were recently certified as having achieved equal pay for equal work across genders.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sixty per cent of Ms Doireau\u2019s division are women.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n She said women are increasingly buying jewellery for themselves and, in doing so, finding a sense of achievement.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI am proud I can offer myself a creation,\u201d she told <\/span>Mojeh<\/span><\/i>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Cartier partnered with Dubai\u2019s Expo 2020 to create its Women\u2019s Pavilion, advocating for gender equality by highlighting women\u2019s contributions to society.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis is the most beautiful open forum we could have for such a cause,\u201d she told <\/span>Harper\u2019s Bazaar Arabia<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI hope one day we won\u2019t need a women\u2019s pavilion. But we need to act now, all together, both men and women. Ultimately, we do need men to be our allies.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n She also spoke of the gender equality in the region, saying: \u201cThe progress that the UAE has made in terms of women\u2019s empowerment is really impressive. It\u2019s so great to have these huge responsibilities that we\u2019ve been given by a country and by Cartier, I\u2019m so proud to be part of it.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ms Doireau believes that education is key to minimising the gender gap and inequality.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cEducation. The solution to women\u2019s empowerment starts with education. I think if all women had access to it, it would completely change the world. This, for me, is the starting point of the solution,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ingie Chalhoub, founder and president, Etoile Group<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ingie Chalhoub is founder and president of luxury retailer Etoile Group.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With a mother who dressed in head-to-toe couture, Ms Chalhoub was immersed in fashion from a young age.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Along with her mother, Ms Chalhoub opened Kuwait\u2019s first Chanel boutique in 1983. With time, the duo began to acquire more luxury brands.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, the store was victim to the Gulf War that began shortly after.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cA lot of our merchandise was stolen. We had to start all over again,\u201d Ms Chalhoub told <\/span>The CEO Magazine<\/span><\/i>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Not to be discouraged, Ms Chalhoub looked to Dubai\u2019s Jebel Ali Free Zone and built Etoile Group, the sister company of her husband\u2019s Chalhoub Group.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Today, the Etoile Group is home to numerous luxury brands including Chanel, Ralph Lauren and Valentino.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In 2009, Ms Chalhoub combined her love for design and her accumulated business knowledge to launch her eponymous fashion brand, INGIE Paris, a luxury womenswear label whose design ethos centres on powerful femininity.<\/span><\/p>\n She outlines how being a female executive grants her great exposure to the design process.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cToday, being a woman designer is even more interesting. To know what women are expecting, being close to the creative side and working closely with the atelier enriches and empowers me.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI get the A-Z experience of this industry, it\u2019s very fulfilling. You have to be the face of everything and also doing everything. You have to master all aspects of the business.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI learned to become more self-confident and even as a woman, it was not always easy. You don\u2019t see so many women at the top level,\u201d Ms Chalhoub told <\/span>Emirates Woman<\/span><\/i>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Besides her business ventures, Ms Chalhoub invests in children\u2019s wellbeing, from participating in \u2018Make A Wish\u2019 campaigns by having children at her fashion shows to visiting refugee camps in Jordan.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n She highlights that her obligation to the greater community is top of mind.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s so important to give back to the community. If everyone gives back to one child, we will be living in a better world. For me, it\u2019s something that I\u2019ve always been conscious of.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Razan <\/span>Alazzouni<\/span>, founder, Razan <\/span>Alazzouni<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Razan Alazzouni is a Saudi-based fashion designer who founded her eponymous label after struggling to find curation jobs in the kingdom.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n She found her love for design at Tufts University, when a dress from a collection she had created for a competition was worn to a high-scale Miami party.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In 2008, after returning to Saudi Arabia, she decided to turn her hobby into a brand.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, her entrepreneurial endeavours were met with scepticism as others saw no room in the Saudi market for her. Penetrating the international market was an even greater challenge.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “One of the biggest challenges I faced was being based in Saudi Arabia and breaking into the international market. I felt I had to prove myself more than a European designer might have needed to,\u201d Ms Alazzouni told fashion blog <\/span>Fustany.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Today, Ms Alazzouni\u2019s creations have been worn by numerous celebrities including Kendall Jenner, Emma Stone and Elizabeth Banks.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ms Alazzouni described the perfect \u2018Razan Alazzouni\u2019 woman as a \u201csophisticated worldly woman who is confident, and out to achieve her goals in life\u201d.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n She draws inspiration from Arab and more specifically, Saudi Arabian.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\nThis International Women\u2019s Day, <\/span>ME RetailNews <\/span><\/i>profiles 10 inspirational women making an impact in Middle East retail.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n