Dubai: The world’s top executives in the retail industry will gather in Dubai on Tuesday as the World Retail Congress (WRC) kicks off.
The 10th edition of the event will see over 1,000 retailers and industry experts attending the show. These include Tommy Hilfiger, principal designer at apparel retailer Tommy Hilfiger; Jo Malone, founder of fragrance brand Jo Malone; and William Kim, chief executive of clothing retailer All Saints, among others.
Local retail experts will be present at the event as well, including Alain Bejjani, chief executive of Dubai-based conglomerate Majid Al Futtaim Holding, and Patrick Chalhoub, chief executive of Chalhoub Group.
“We also have a great line-up of newer retail businesses, many of them disrupting the old retail model, who will provide much food for thought for more established retailers,” Ian McGarrigle, chairman of the WRC, told Gulf News by email.
This year’s edition will focus more on how it is becoming harder for retailers to predict customer behaviour and demands; how mobile is changing the retail industry and how physical stores have to become more of an attraction to consumers, McGarrigle said.
“This year’s programme will also be dominated by discussions around a greater sense of uncertainty in the global economy and in regional politics caused by things like the impending US presidential elections or the European referendum,” he said.
The event is being held in Dubai for the first time, and will run until Thursday at Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah.
“For our 10th meeting of the World Retail Congress, and our first held outside of Europe, we wanted to find a location that would attract senior retail executives from around the world. Dubai was an easy choice to make because it is recognised as having one of the greatest collection of international retailers and brands. It is also one of the most exciting retail venues which continues to create and develop world-class customer experiences,” McGarrigle said.
Retail sales in Dubai are expected to reach Dh160 billion in the current year, according to a statement announcing details of the WRC.
