SCHEDULE
Scroll down for the sessions
12 November 2024 | Crowne Plaza Riyadh - RDC Hotel & Convention Center, KSA
REGISTRATION
Time
9:00
Welcome Note
Time
10:15
Panel Discussion: How can retail drive profitable growth and economic progress?
...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 - Accomplished Retail Industry Expert
Joe Abi Akl - Partner, IMEA Head of Retail and Consumer Goods | Oliver Wyman
Session Chair:
Dr Martyn Davies - Accomplished Retail Industry Expert
Time
10:30
Fireside Chat: How can you elevate customers to brand ambassadors?
...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.
Speaker:
Yasser Taher - Chief Executive Officer | Magrabi Retail Group
Session Chair:
Liji Varghese, Audience Development Lead, Fast Company Middle East
Time
11:10
From Inspiration to Transaction: Crafting a Seamless Retail Experience in Saudi Arabia
...As retail continues to evolve, consumers in the Middle East are no longer shopping as a distinct activity. Instead, they are perpetually surrounded by moments of inspiration that can seamlessly convert into transactions. This session explores how brands can create a truly unified and immersive Customer Experience (CX) across digital platforms, from apps to retail media and the emerging super apps that are reshaping the industry.
Speaker:
Faisal Algain - Head of Growth and Client Engagement | dentsu KSA
Time
11:35
COFFEE BREAK
...Time
11:55
Here’s how AI can help you save time, cut costs & create value
...The potential for content creation with AI is endless. In today’s digital landscape, brands creating content can harness AI to increase engagement and conversion while optimizing their operations. This session will showcase some of the latest technologies being used by retail brands. Imagine streamlining your lookbook content or creating unique, holiday-specific images for the same product with an easy swap. Discover how AI enables brands to create tailored visuals quickly and at minimal cost, redefining seasonal marketing strategies.
Speaker:
Nicolas Nath - Accomplished Branding & Marketing Strategist
Time
12:15
Tech talk: This is how AI is making retail smarter
...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 Semaan - Partner | Oliver Wyman
Time
12:35
Keynote: Will innovative retail designs and exceptional service define the future?
...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?
Speaker:
Gregoire Charpe Civatte, Vice President of Customer Experience & Innovation | Majid Al Futtaim | Professor of Luxury Marketing, American University of Sharjah
Time
12:55
Panel Discussion: Competing in the Digital Marketplace: Building Future-Ready Retail Ecosystems
...The Middle East’s digital marketplace is booming, with e-commerce sales projected to exceed $48.6 billion by 2025. To thrive in this competitive environment, regional retailers must do more than just keep pace with global giants like Shein and Temu—they need to build future-ready digital ecosystems. This session will explore how retailers can create seamless, immersive experiences by blending AI, data, and real-time customer interactions. Experts will discuss key strategies for leveraging technology, enhancing customer experience, and adopting sustainable practices to stay ahead in the ever-evolving retail landscape. How can regional brands harness these ecosystems to anticipate customer needs and compete on a global scale? What innovations and frameworks are critical to building a vibrant and resilient digital marketplace?
Panelists:
Binoo Joseph - Chief Digital Officer | Cenomi Group
Kartik Bhatt - Chief Digital Officer | Modern Electronics - MEC (Al-Faisaliah Group)
Kunal Kapoor - Chief Executive Officer | The Luxury Closet
Session Chair:
Liji Varghese, Audience Development Lead, Fast Company Middle East
Time
13:15
RETAIL AWARDS CEREMONY
Time
13:55
Lunch Break
Time
14:10
KSA Grocery Retail: Time to differentiate
...A recently conducted Oliver Wyman consumer survey shows limited differentiation between Saudi Arabia’s grocery retailers. In this impulse presentation we will explore the current starting point of KSA’s grocery retail landscape, deep-dive on consumer sentiment on major trends, draw comparisons to other markets and share key hypotheses on how we expect the market to evolve. Finally, we will discuss what is needed to emerge as a winner in the expected wave of consolidation.
Speaker:
Alexander Poehl - Partner, Retail and Consumer | Oliver Wyman
Time
15:00
Fireside Chat: The Influencer Playbook: Winning strategies for maximum engagement
...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.
Speaker:
Amy Roko, Entrepreneur and Content Creator
Session Chair:
Liji Varghese - Audience Lead | Fast Company Middle East
Time
15:20
Converting shopper intent into action
...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.
Speaker:
Anthony Haddad - Vice President, Business Development | Cenomi Group
Moderator:
Karrishma Modhy, Managing Editor, Fast Company Middle East
Time
15:45
Closing Note
Time
16:05