World Retail Congress will return to Dubai in 2017

Hamad Buamim, president and CEO of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has announced that the Chamber has entered into an agreement with the organising committee of the World Retail Congress to host the 11th edition of the event in Dubai next year.

He said the 10th World Retail Congress attracted more than 1,300 participants from 58 countries. The retail event was held for the first time in Dubai and the first time outside Europe.

The event, organised from April 12 to 14, featured 60 sessions and 146 speakers. Key speakers included Tommy Hilfiger, principle designer, The Tommy Hilfiger Group; Jo Malone, founder, Jo Malone, Jo Loves; and Solomon Lew, chairman, Premier Investments. The sessions were also led by local retail experts, including Patrick Chalhoub, CEO, Chalhoub Group; and Nisreen Shocair, president, Virgin Megastores Mena.

Buamim said: "The decision to host the annual World Retail Congress twice in a row in Dubai reflects the emirate's leading status as a major global retail hub and a key driver for innovation in retail industry. Dubai offers a secure and business friendly atmosphere supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure for both start-ups and established business houses to flourish. With its strategic location between the east and the west, Dubai is the perfect gateway for international retail entities to extend their presence in the region and beyond. The World Retail Congress has become another major platform in Dubai that will contribute significantly to the growth of the retail sector in the region and the international level."

Ian McGarrigle, Chairman, World Retail Congress said: "We have been delighted with the response to the Congress being held in Dubai this year, and we have received fantastic feedback from all of our attendees. This year, we have seen our biggest ever attendance, with the highest proportion of retailers, many of which are at CEO level, and we are excited to announce that the Congress will return to Dubai in 2017."

The three-day event showcased the region's potential in the sector and discussed topics such as disruption and innovation within retail, how to effectively engage with customers and what's next for the sector, both within the region and globally.  

The previous World Retail Congress was held in Rome in September 2015.

- business@khaleejtimes.com