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12 November 2024 | Crowne Plaza Riyadh - RCD Hotel & Convention Center, KSA

REGISTRATION

Time

9:00

Welcome Note

Time

10:00

Keynote Address: Vision 2030 and the future of retail in Saudi Arabia

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Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 is a bold initiative that aims to diversify the economy, reduce dependency on oil, and transform various sectors, including retail. The growth potential is immense, with the retail sector expected to reach $142 billion by 2025, driven by a tech-savvy, youthful population. The speaker will discuss the impact of Vision 2030 on retail in Saudi Arabia, including the surge in e-commerce projected to surpass $13 billion by 2024. How can retailers align with Vision 2030 to capitalize on these opportunities? What are the best strategies to attract global investments and foster innovation in the retail sector? How can Saudi Arabia position itself as a leading retail and leisure hub in the region?

Time

10:10

Panel Discussion: How can retail drive profitable growth and economic progress?

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As the retail landscape evolves, recapturing profitable growth remains a critical challenge. This session explores innovative strategies to enhance profitability through cost management, value proposition enhancement, and technological advancements. Additionally, the retail sector's role as a significant economic driver will be examined, with retail sales in the Middle East projected to reach $282 billion by 2025 (Statista). We will discuss how retail can act as an engine for economic growth by creating jobs, stimulating investments, and fostering innovation. What practical strategies can retailers implement to enhance profitability and drive economic growth? How can digital transformation support revenue growth and cost efficiency in the retail sector?

Speakers:

Ahmed Yousry - Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer | Rabbit

Erdem Inan - Chief Executive Officer | Trendyol Group

Dr Martyn Davies - Vice President & Head of City Excellence | Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Joe Abi Akl - Partner, IMEA Head of Retail and Consumer Goods | Oliver Wyman

Time

10:30

Converting shopper intent into action

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Retailers are grappling with the challenge of converting shopper intent into actual purchases in an increasingly digital and competitive marketplace. The high volume of online browsing often fails to translate into sales, leading to missed opportunities and revenue loss. How can businesses effectively convert shopper intent into action? This session explores strategies and technologies that drive conversions, from personalized marketing to seamless checkout experiences, ensuring that potential sales turn into actual transactions.

Time

11:05

POS is now omnipresent

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POS has a new address: it's wherever the customer is. The ‘point of sale’ is no longer confined to the traditional checkout counter. Saudi retailers are redefining POS by leveraging mobile POS systems and omnichannel strategies to create seamless shopping experiences, integrating digital and physical retail spaces. This session explores how this integration is reshaping customer interactions, enabling seamless transitions between online browsing and in-store purchases. How can Saudi retailers leverage these advancements to create a unified shopping experience that enhances convenience, boosts sales, and fosters customer loyalty? Find out here.

Time

11:20

Does dynamic pricing impact customer perceptions?

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Retailers argue that dynamic pricing protects peak shopping periods and avoids overcrowding, similar to strategies in travel and hospitality. Machine learning makes these calculations instant and seamless. But how does this approach impact customer perceptions and overall experience? This session decodes discounts, value offers, and the difference between true and perceived value.

Time

11:35

Tech Talk: How will customers check out in the future?

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Contactless payments and cashier-less checkouts, powered by advanced technologies, are redefining convenience and minimizing customer wait times. Retailers are employing sensors, blockchain, NFC, and biometrics to automate and authenticate retail payments. Contactless point-of-sale (POS) solutions like scan-and-go use customers' smartphones for payment authentication, while facial ID checkouts and wearables leverage biometrics. Self-service kiosks, automated checkouts, and Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) strategies are reducing queues and wait times in stores, extending customer conversion beyond physical store boundaries.

Time

11:50

How can you elevate customers to brand ambassadors?

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Did you know that word-of-mouth recommendations drive 20-50% of all purchasing decisions? In retail, customer advocacy is a cornerstone of success. This session explores proven strategies that empower brands to cultivate customer advocacy through exceptional service, innovative loyalty programs, and engaging customer experiences. Learn how to transform satisfied customers into passionate brand ambassadors, leveraging the power of recommendations to drive growth and loyalty in the competitive retail landscape.

Time

12:05

Will innovative retail designs and exceptional service define the future?

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In the competitive retail landscape, design and experience are key differentiators. Retail design innovation can significantly enhance revenue, with studies showing that well-designed stores can increase sales by up to 40%. This session explores how brands like IKEA leverage innovative design principles to create engaging environments that drive customer loyalty and boost sales. Additionally, transforming service teams into experience teams is crucial in creating memorable customer interactions. With 86% of buyers willing to pay more for great customer experiences, how can retailers effectively train and empower their service teams to deliver exceptional experiences?

Time

12:20

Competing in the digital marketplace - Lessons from a global giant

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The Middle East's digital marketplace is booming, with e-commerce sales expected to exceed $48.6 billion by 2025 (eMarketer). This session will explore how regional retailers can compete with global budget fashion giants like Shein and Temu. With 80% of consumers preferring online shopping for its convenience and product variety (Statista), local brands need to innovate to capture market share. The discussion will cover strategies for creating a vibrant digital marketplace, including leveraging technology, enhancing customer experience, and adopting sustainable practices. How can regional retailers effectively compete with global e-commerce giants? What innovations and strategies are crucial for thriving in the competitive digital marketplace?

Time

12:35

Powering through price wars

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Consumers are reshaping shopping habits by researching products offline before purchasing online. Nearly 100% of consumers now research products offline before purchasing online. Around 74% use Google Search for this, while others turn to social media platforms. This session explores the implications of ROPO for retail pricing strategies, where brands must balance competitiveness with profitability. How can retailers effectively navigate this dynamic landscape to capture online and offline consumer interest, and what strategies are emerging to address these challenges?

Time

12:50

Lunch Break

Time

13:05

The Circular Economy - Embracing recommerce, thrifting, and net-zero Initiatives

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The shift towards a circular economy is gaining momentum, with recommerce and thrifting projected to grow 11 times faster than traditional retail by 2025. This session examines how retailers can embrace recommerce and thrifting to promote sustainability and meet consumer demand for eco-conscious shopping options. We will also explore the adoption of net-zero initiatives, with many retailers committing to significant carbon reduction targets. With the global retail industry responsible for 20% of annual greenhouse gas emissions (UN Environment Programme), achieving net zero is both a challenge and an opportunity. How can retailers implement effective net-zero strategies? What role do recommerce and thrifting play in creating a sustainable retail ecosystem? Find out here.

Speaker:

Arthur Huang - Founder | MINIWIZ

Time

14:00

Tech talk: Automating customer support for 24x7 availability

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In today's fast-paced world, customers demand instant, personalized support around the clock. Automation is the game-changer, seamlessly handling routine queries and freeing up human agents for complex issues. This session explores the dynamic Conversational Support Funnel, where proactive solutions, self-service options, and human expertise converge. Discover how cutting-edge technology can preempt problems, automate repetitive questions, and ensure that only the most intricate issues reach your team. Uncover how automation can elevate customer satisfaction and streamline your support operations, transforming your customer service strategy.

Time

14:15

This is how AI is making retail smarter

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the retail industry, offering innovative solutions that enhance customer experience, streamline operations, and boost profitability. In a market where AI in retail is projected to reach $12 billion by 2025, it's essential to understand its transformative potential. This session delves into how AI-powered tools like chatbots and virtual assistants enhance customer interaction and satisfaction. It also explores how AI optimizes inventory management, predicts consumer demand, and trends; and personalizes marketing strategies. With retailers like Amazon and Walmart leading the charge, how can regional players leverage AI to stay competitive?

Speaker:

Cyril Seeman - Partner | Oliver Wyman

Time

14:30

The Influencer Playbook: Winning strategies for maximum engagement

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Influencer marketing remains a pivotal force in shaping consumer behavior, with 89% of marketers citing ROI from influencer campaigns as comparable to or better than other marketing channels and 87% of sellers confirming the effectiveness of social selling. How can brands harness influencer partnerships to authentically connect with and influence their target demographics? This session explores current trends and best practices in influencer marketing, providing insights into strategies that drive engagement and enhance brand credibility.

Speakers:

Amy Roko, Entrepreneur and Content Creator

Marriam Mossalli - Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer | Founding Partner | Powder Beauty, Niche Arabia

Time

14:45

Fireside Chat: Can retail turn engagement into immersive experiences?

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Retailers are leveraging AR to create immersive shopping experiences that bridge the gap between online and offline channels. With AR, traditional stores are transforming into interactive showrooms where customers can visualize products in their environment using smart dressing rooms, AR catalog apps, and in-store beacons. This not only increases customer engagement but also drives higher sales by offering personalized and convenient shopping experiences.

Speaker:

Samer Sayegh - Chief Executive Officer - Saudi Arabia & Bahrain | Alsulaiman IKEA

Time

15:00

Panel Discussion: How can supply chain bottlenecks lead to an efficiency breakthrough in retail?

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In an era where customer expectations are higher than ever, supply chain optimization has become crucial for retailers looking to stay ahead. This session will explore how cutting-edge supply chain strategies can help retailers gain visibility into the operational bottlenecks between procurement, logistics, and delivery. Industry experts will discuss how leveraging technology and data-driven insights can streamline operations, reduce inefficiencies, and ensure retailers not only meet but exceed customer expectations.

Time

15:15

Fireside Chat: Endorsers to entrepreneurs, why are celebrities launching brands?

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How are celebrities reshaping the industry by moving beyond traditional endorsement roles? By stepping into the roles of creative directors and brand owners, they are driving a new wave of retail innovation. This comprehensive approach enables them to create and manage brands that not only align with their personal image but also connect deeply with their audiences, setting new standards for authenticity and influence in retail.

Speaker:

Nadine Njeim - Actress & Entrepreneur | NADINE NJEIM BEAUTY

Time

15:45

Closing Note

Time

16:00