Dareen Mukhaimer, presenting an award during the MRF 2024 gala.
The Middle East Retail Forum (MRF) 2024 took place at the JW Marriott Hotel, Marina, Dubai, on September 26, gathering key figures from the retail industry to discuss trends shaping the future of retail in the region. The forum covered emerging technologies, omnichannel strategies, and evolving consumer behavior, particularly within the context of Saudi Vision 2030.
Our founder, Dareen Mukhaimer (right) attended the event, contributing to the discussions and capturing key moments. Major companies such as GMG, Spinneys, Legoland, Blooming, Deloitte, Grandiose, Liwa, and Al Ghurair properties were present, discussing potential future collaborations.
Dareen Mukhaimer, Founder of e-Arabization, with Sunil Kumar at MRF 2024.
Deloitte opened the event with a presentation on changing consumer behavior in the GCC, sharing statistics that compared trends in the UAE with other global markets. The data showed an increasing adoption of digital-first approaches, with many local consumers favoring online shopping. Deloitte also pointed out regional differences, particularly in areas like technology adoption and sustainability priorities, indicating that the UAE is advancing rapidly in its use of retail technologies, particularly in leveraging AI to enhance consumer experiences. Deloitte United StatesA key topic was the growth of omnichannel retail, a strategy combining online and offline experiences. Aurélien Cuellar, Director Technology & Omni Channel at Chalhoub Group, discussed the need for a consistent customer experience across all channels, while Hameed Noor Mohamed, Managing Director of Alpen Capital, provided projections for retail growth, highlighting opportunities driven by evolving consumer behavior and technological advances.
The SOLOx segment provided leadership stories, including Sunil Kumar, CEO of Spinneys, who shared his career journey from customer service assistant to CEO, illustrating the potential for career growth within the industry.
Angelina Saad, Business Development Manager at e-Arabization, attending MRF 2024. e-Arabization served as the official translation partner for the event..
Panelists also discussed the adoption of AI and data-driven personalization, focusing on how retailers are using AI to improve customer experience by analyzing data and predicting purchasing patterns.
The forum concluded with debates on the future of retail spaces, questioning the role of traditional malls versus new formats like pop-up stores and digital-first strategies. MRF 2024 emphasized the need for adaptability and the integration of new technologies to stay relevant in an evolving market.
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