Global Leaders to Discuss Vision 2030, E-Commerce and Luxury Retail at The Retail Summit Saudi
Ahmed Bin Abdulqader ـ nabd–alhadath
The Retail Summit (TRS), the leading global event shaping the future of retail, is set to make its highly anticipated debut in Saudi Arabia on January 27th and 28th, 2025 at Riyadh’s iconic King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD). Over two dynamic days, the summit will offer unparalleled insights into the key opportunities, challenges and trends that are shaping the retail landscape, with expert-led sessions set to redefine the industry.
With over 61 global retail leaders confirmed, the summit will feature 31 sessions across 10 retail sectors, including Luxury, Health & Beauty, Apparel, Jewellery, E-commerce, Food & Beverage, Groceries, Department Stores, Franchise, and more. Attendees will benefit from 12 hours of actionable insights delivered by these speakers on 18 key topics, such as the future of luxury retail, digital-first strategies, attracting and retaining top talent, insights into Saudi Arabia’s growing retail landscape, e-commerce strategies for a booming market, and navigating shifting consumer preferences. They can look forward to thought-provoking panels, keynotes and workshops offering actionable perspectives on the most pressing topics in retail today.
Luxury Brands on the Fast Track: Staying Ahead in Style
As the luxury personal goods market is set to reach $392.40 billion by 2030, staying ahead of the curve is more crucial than ever for prestige brands. This session will delve into how luxury retailers are navigating the evolving landscape of shifting consumer behaviors, technological advancements and increasing competition. To maintain their elite status, these brands must strike a delicate balance between exclusivity, exceptional personalisation and sustainability. Leading experts from iconic brands, Carlo D’Amario, CEO and Co-Founder of Vivienne Westwood; Antony Lindsay, CEO of Fabergé; and Sergio Azzolari, CEO of Roberto Cavalli, will explore the innovative strategies luxury brands are using to engage new generations of consumers and leverage advancements while preserving their heritage and exclusivity.
The Secret to Attracting and Retaining Top Talent
Talent development is crucial to sustaining growth in retail, and a session led by Caroline Rush, CEO of British Fashion Council; and Andy Holmes, President of Starbucks – Al Shaya, will explore workforce strategies. The conversation will address how retail businesses can attract and retain top talent, encourage diversity and cultivate a resilient workforce shaped by the impact of Saudization. A key discussion will be ‘How to Allow Your Team to Fail, in Order to Learn and Succeed’ – an important angle for developing future leaders in retail to address.
Celebrating Emerging Saudi Fashion Brands
Saudi Arabia’s fashion scene is undergoing a creative renaissance, with new designers gaining global recognition. HH Princess Noura bint Faisal Al Saud, CEO of Al Othaim Culture and Founder of Culture House, will lead a fireside chat titled ‘Championing Fresh Saudi Fashion Brands,’ shedding light on how emerging designers are combining traditional influences with modern design and tackling the challenges of scaling their brands in an evolving market. The session will offer valuable insights into fostering creativity, expanding international visibility and leveraging local heritage.
What Keeps a Retail Leader Up at Night?
Retail leaders face a range of challenges in today’s fast-moving market. Alexis Mourot, CEO of Christian Louboutin; Nurtaç Afridi, CEO of Bateel; and Marcella Wartenbergh, CEO of AWWG, will share their experiences in navigating evolving consumer behaviours, managing supply chain disruptions and balancing digital investment with personal customer experiences. According to a recent report, 74% of retail CEOs are concerned about how to adapt to rapidly shifting consumer preferences—making this session a must-attend for those seeking strategies to stay ahead of the curve.
E-Commerce Insights and Strategies for a Booming Market
With global e-commerce sales expected to surpass $6.4 trillion by 2024, technology’s role in shaping the future of retail is more critical than ever. Mona Kattan, Founder and Co-Founder, Kayali Fragrances & HB Investments, will deliver a keynote session titled ‘Knowing Your Customers and Your Brand – E-Commerce Insights from a Beauty Innovator,’ discussing how beauty brands are leveraging e-commerce to create memorable online shopping experiences. Additionally, a panel ‘E-commerce Evolution: Building a Digital-First Retail Strategy’ featuring Max Bittner, CEO of Vestiaire Collective; Stefania Vardouli, CEO of Mary Katrantzou; and Rob Schilder, CEO of G-Star, will explore strategies for building a robust digital-first retail strategy that meets the demands of a rapidly changing market.
The Future of Luxury Retail in Saudi Arabia
As Saudi Arabia continues to attract high-net-worth individuals, luxury retail is experiencing rapid growth and transformation. Colleen Caslin, CEO of Sidney Garber; Celine Assimon, CEO of De Beers Jewellers; and Ingie Chalhoub, Founder & President of Etoile Group will examine how luxury brands can deepen connections with affluent consumers and elevate their presence in the Kingdom’s thriving luxury market.
The summit will also address other vital topics, including artificial intelligence, sustainability, digital integration and the convergence of retail, hospitality and entertainment. Sessions will explore ESG goals, crafting seamless omnichannel experiences, engaging next-gen consumers and expanding into new markets.
Gary Thatcher, CEO and Co-Founder of The Retail Summit, said: “We are delighted to unveil an outstanding lineup of speakers and mind-expanding sessions for our inaugural TRS Saudi. As Saudi Arabia strengthens its position as a global retail leader, this summit will provide an opportunity like no other to exchange ideas, explore growth and investment opportunities to chart the future of the retail sector.”
The inaugural edition of The Retail Summit in Saudi will feature over 61 visionary speakers, with 85% being CEOs. Speakers include John Hadden, CEO of Alshaya Group; Faysal AlMalki, CEO of AlMalki Holding; Saud Alsulaiman, CEO of Alsulaiman Group; Caroline Rush, CEO of the British Fashion Council; Patrick Chalhoub, Group President of Chalhoub Group; Daniel Grieder, CEO of Hugo Boss; Mona Kattan, Founder of Kayali Fragrances & Co-Founder of HB Investments; Fahed Ghanim, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Lifestyle; Massimo Basei, CCO of Pandora; Sergio Azzolari Montoldi, CEO of Roberto Cavalli; Jacques-Antoine Granjon, CEO of Veepee; Max Bittner, CEO of Vestiaire Collective; Yasser Taher, CEO of Magrabi Retail Group; Carlo D’Amario, CEO of Vivienne Westwood; and Alexis Mourot, CEO of Christian Louboutin among other leading figures.
Notable brands include Adidas, Coty, eyewa, WHP Global, Christofle, American Golf, Fabergé, Rubaiyat Group, Mary Katrantzou, Fred Perry, Eleventy, and DeBeers Jewellers, among others.
As Saudi Arabia emerges as a hub for innovation and growth, TRS Saudi is poised to be a key event for retail leaders, innovators and change-makers. For more information on the event, speakers, the full agenda and registration, visit retailsummitsaudi.com
