2025/RiYadh

As industries converge and consumer expectations soar, the need for innovative public-private partnerships (PPPs) has never been more pressing. These partnerships are becoming essential for driving smart growth and fostering innovation across sectors like F&B, entertainment, and mixed-use developments. What strategies can effectively integrate diverse districts, real estate assets, and consumer-focused initiatives to unlock sustainable growth? This session will deep dive into best practices and highlight emerging opportunities for leveraging PPPs to create value, transform communities, and build resilient, future-ready ecosystems.

Andrew Cubitt, Chief Commercial Officer, New Murabba Development Company

Tom Cartledge, CEO, Benoy + Pragma

Pamela Merlino, Partner, McKinsey & Company

Retail’s rulebook is being rewritten in real time. Omni-channel experiences are blurring the lines between online and offline, personalized approaches across various verticals risk crossing the fine line between helpful and intrusive, and payment innovations promise a frictionless future. Yet, as technology accelerates the pace of change, one question looms large: is the industry truly addressing what consumers want—or are brands simply chasing trends to stay relevant? What does it mean to build lasting loyalty in a landscape of fleeting preferences?

Fahed Ghanim, CEO, Majid Al Futtaim –Lifestyle

Amir Awan, Founder & CEO, Dupeshop Beauty

Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager, MENA, Checkout.com

Nisreen Shocair, CEO and Founder, The Shocase Network

As technological advancements redefine the boundaries of retail, they challenge traditional models, from customer-centric strategies to operational excellence. How can leaders navigate this transformative era, harnessing innovation to drive growth and adapt to emerging opportunities? Does the future of AI in retail call for rapid adoption or a bold reimagining of the entire business model?

Adriano Araujo, President, APAC & MEA, Ocado Group

Bobby Rajendran, CEO, Tamimi Markets

Abdel-Salam Bdeir, CEO, SACO

Catherine Brien, Partner & Managing Director, AlixPartners, United Kingdom

The future of shopping malls, and particularly in the KSA, lies at the intersection of ambition and pragmatism. As macro-economic forces drive shifts in the KSA landscape, with a supply growth planned at ~10% per year until 2026 in Riyadh, for example, evolving consumer needs and the emergence of new formats are changing the face of retail real estate in the Kingdom and the region. In this ever-changing environment, how can retail real estate operators across the GCC navigate economic fluctuations and strike a delicate balance between supply and demand to ensure resilience and drive sustainable growth?

Alison Rehill-Erguven, CEO, Cenomi Centers

Shane Eldstrom, CEO, United Developers, Qatar

Abdullah Al Tamimi, CEO, Hamat Holding

Georges Barakat, Director - Local Real Estate Investments Division - Retail, Public Investment Fund (PIF)

Anne-Laure Malauzat, Partner, Bain & Company

As the future of commerce rapidly evolves, conversational commerce is emerging as a game-changer for businesses aiming to stay ahead. By 2030, 85% of customer interactions are expected to be automated, reshaping how companies engage with their customers. This session examines how conversational commerce can become a strategic growth driver, blending AI-powered chat tools with human-centric insights to deliver seamless, personalized experiences at scale. But how far can businesses push the boundaries of automation before losing the essence of personalized customer engagement?

James Dickson, Chief Product Officer, Landmark Digital, Landmark Group

Mohammed Sleeq, Chief Operating Officer, Unifonic

V. Nandakumar, Director - Marketing & Communications, LuLu Group International

Anna Germanos, Group Director for Consumer Packaged Goods, Retail, E-commerce & Luxury, Meta

As the world confronts disruption at every turn, leadership itself is being redefined. What does it take to lead with impact while navigating the pressures of transformation and rising expectations? This session delves into the stories and strategies of trailblazing women who are reshaping the retail and lifestyle industries, exploring how resilience and innovation are not just responses to change but tools to rewrite the future of leadership.

Sima Ganwani Ved, Founder and Chairwoman, Apparel Group

Supaluck Umpujh, Chairwoman, The Mall Group

Hala Zgeib, Head of Luxury, Snap Inc.

Luxury is at a crossroads, driven by the need for bold innovation to meet evolving consumer expectations, AI-powered disruption, and shifting global market dynamics. How are leaders navigating this period of transformation? This session provides a high-level perspec- tive on the current state of luxury, unveiling how organizations are adapting to rapid change, redefining customer-centric experiences, and positioning themselves to capitalize on the opportunities of tomorrow.

Michael Chalhoub, CEO, Chalhoub Group

Michael Ward, Managing Director, Harrods

Geoffroy van Raemdonck, Former CEO, Neiman Marcus Group and Luxury Retail Expert

Panos Linardos, Chairman, RLC Global Forum

Global cross-border e-commerce is projected to exceed $2 trillion by 2026, with platforms like Shein and Temu disrupting traditional trade and capturing over 30% market share in key categories across the Middle East market. However, regulatory loopholes and tariff discrepancies pose significant challenges for local players, risking market imbalances. This session delves into strategies for leveling the playing field, optimizing logistics, and fostering sustainable growth. How can businesses and regulators collaborate to ensure fair competition while seizing the opportunities of a globalized economy?

Dr. Ayth Al Mubarak, CEO, The National Center for Family Business

John Hadden, CEO, Alshaya Group

Faraz Khalid, CEO, noon

Rahul Jagtiani, Group Director - Digital, Landmark Group

Cyrille Fabre, Sr Partner, Bain & Company

Discount grocery retail has redefined Western grocery markets, with value-led players capturing over 20% of market share and reshap- ing the entire value chain. While such models have yet to gain significant traction in the GCC, nearly 70% of customers express a strong interest in shopping at discount-focused concepts. As the GCC grocery retail market matures and customer preferences diversify, how can the region capitalize on the value-led opportunity? What broader lessons from the rise of discount models can inspire innovative strategies and drive resilience in competitive markets? This session will explore successful discount retail formulas from the West, their adaptability to markets like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and the strategic adjustments required for local success.

Patrick Kaudewitz, CEO & Founder, Kaudewitz Consulting GmbH

Abdullah Al Sabban, Chief Operating Officer, Panda Retail Corp.

Shehim Mohammed, Director KSA, Lulu Saudi Hypermarkets LLC

Alexander Pöhl, Partner Retail & Consumer, Oliver Wyman

Luxury is evolving rapidly in the Middle East, fueled by one of the world’s highest mobile penetrations and booming e-commerce, projected to reach $49 billion by 2025. How are luxury brands leveraging Clienteling 3.0, data-driven marketing, and social selling to deliver hyper-personalized customer experiences? This session uncovers actionable strategies for integrating technology with human touchpoints to drive growth, enhance competitiveness, and meet rising consumer expectations in a region reshaping the global luxury landscape.

Stefania Lazzaroni, CEO, Altagamma

Hala Zgeib, Head of Luxury, Snap Inc.

Geoffroy van Raemdonck, Former CEO, Neiman Marcus Group and Luxury Retail Expert

Filippo Bianchi, Managing Director & Sr Partner, BCG

In an era where innovation accelerates at breakneck speed and consumer expectations shift with every technological leap, the luxury industry stands at a defining crossroads: how to honor storied legacies while embracing the demands of a new generation. Balancing heritage with progress is no longer optional—it is the ultimate test of relevance. Can luxury brands reimagine exclusivity, authenticity, and craftsmanship in ways that resonate globally while preserving the timeless allure that defines them? At this intersection of tradition and transformation, this session will explore how the future of luxury retail can remain both timeless and innovative.

Graziano de Boni, Global CEO, Diane von Furstenberg - DVF Studio LLC

Erika Andreetta, Partner, PwC

Traditional luxury business models are being reshaped by shifting consumer behavior, the rise of secondhand markets, and the growing demand for hyper-personalization. As the industry faces mounting pressure to adapt, brands must rethink their competitive edge— whether through premium branding, frictionless convenience, cost efficiency, or immersive experiences. This session explores how lux- ury brands can expand strategically—leveraging experiential retail, new pricing models, and digital innovation—while preserving brand equity and exclusivity. Drawing from Barbara Kahn’s latest research, discover how leading brands are redefining engagement, unlocking new growth opportunities, and navigating the tension between heritage and disruption in the evolving luxury landscape.

Barbara E. Kahn, Patty and Jay H. Baker Professor of Marketing, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

The retail real estate sector is at an inflection point, driven by shifting market dynamics and evolving consumer expectations. As urban centers adapt to new realities, how can developers and retailers work together to future-proof retail spaces? This session examines the opportunities and challenges shaping the next era of retail real estate—from adopting innovative formats and sustainable practices to navigating economic uncertainties and leveraging advanced technologies. What strategies will define success in this rapidly changing landscape?

Eng. Faisal bin Abdulrahman Alnasser, CEO, Alandalus Property Co.

Ayman Mohammed Al Burti, CEO, Azad Properties

Khalid Aljanahi, Chief Commercial Officer, Cenomi Centers

Ibrahim Al Qasmi, CEO, Red Sea Markets

Ben Chesser, Founder & CEO, Coniq

In an era where consumer expectations are redefining retail, department stores face the challenge of balancing tradition with transformation. How are leaders adapting their strategies to create engaging, experience-driven spaces that resonate with modern shoppers? This session explores the innovative approaches reshaping department stores, from digital integration and sustainability to customer-centric design.

Philippe Pedone, International Vice President, Executive Board Member, Galleries Lafayette

David Wilkinson, Executive Director, Steen & Strøm

Selvane Mohandas du Ménil, Managing Director, International Association of Department Stores (IADS)

Explore how businesses can transform customer experiences into revenue-driving opportunities. What strategies can they adopt to turn every customer moment into a profit-generating opportunity? This session delves into strategies for enhancing customer

loyalty, leveraging data insights, and integrating personalized experiences that increase profitability. Industry leaders share actionable techniques to monetize touchpoints while ensuring long-term customer satisfaction and adaptability in dynamic markets.

Dennis Michael, Chief Business Development Officer, Cenomi Centers

Josef Seidler, Executive Director, Property Management, New Murabba Development Company

Rainer Usselmann, Co-Founder, Happy Finish

Isabelle Vantard, Director KSA, In The Memory

Zia Daniell Wigder, Chief Content Officer, EMARKETER

In an era defined by global mobility and rising consumer expectations, travel retail sits at the crossroads of convenience and aspiration.

As Saudi Arabia positions itself to become a leading global tourism destination, this sector plays a central role in the Kingdom’s economic and cultural evolution, offering a unique opportunity to redefine the very essence of retail in transit. Can the industry reimagine how it engages travelers, seamlessly blending convenience with luxury, to bring the Kingdom’s vision as a global gateway to life?

Umair Ansari, SVP/GM Travel Retail UK & EMEA, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

Mohammed Al-Dabbagh, Managing Director – KSA, Chalhoub Group

Abdullah K. Al-Salem, Commercial Business Development General Manager, Riyadh Airports Company

Reina Takla, Business Editor - Head of Business Section, Arab News

Saudi Arabia’s food and retail sectors are navigating a complex landscape where price sensitivity and the growing prominence of discounters intersect with a rising demand for healthier, personalized, and sustainable options. With the population expected to grow by over 6 million by 2030, how can businesses balance affordability with innovation?

Bandar Al Saeedi, VP Commercial, Panda Retail Corp.

Dalia Salib, Chief Marketing and Growth Officer, Mars Middle East and Africa

Dr. Solaiman Al-Twaijri, CEO, National Agricultural Development Company (NADEC)

Mansour AlShamrani, Head of Corporate Affairs for KSA & GCC, PepsiCo

Mohammed Dhedhi, Partner, Kearney

The potential of human capital to ignite transformation has never been greater. Talent drives the creation of high-performance cultures, reshapes inclusive work environments, and unlocks productivity and innovation at scale. In an age of disruption, does sustainable growth hinge on merely adapting to workforce shifts, or on positioning talent as the architect of exceptional customer experiences and strategic business reinvention?

Prince Waleed Bin Nasser Al Saud, Founder and CEO, Mukatafa Company

Ali Shareif, CEO, Al Othaim Life

Ahmad AR BinDawood, CEO, BinDawood Holding

Pauline Coquet, Partner, Bain & Company