RetailME spoke to Marka CEO Nick Peel, who brings with him over 20 years of multi-channel experience with some of the biggest names in sports marketing as well as leading retail brands in fashion and other categories, about his retail journey in this part of the world…
“It’s been a whirlwind of a journey,” says Peel about the two years he has spent so far with Marka, which is the UAE’s first publicly traded joint stock company focused on the country’s fast-growing retail sector.
Appointed CEO in August 2014, a little over a month after Marka launched its operations, Peel has been in the thick of action, guiding the company’s ambitious growth strategy to become, as he put it at the time of his appointment, “the premier retail operator in the UAE and across the region.”
How easy or difficult has it been for you to work with the Marka board?
We interact with each other at least quarterly but there are a couple of board members that I interact with more frequently, almost fortnightly or monthly. They are all pragmatic, positive, entrepreneurial individuals and are true to the vision of economic diversification propagated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s, vice president and prime minister of the UAE, and ruler of Dubai. They are approachable individuals who have been helpful and supportive during my journey.
Three biggest learnings at Marka:
The full interview has been featured in RetailME October 2016 edition.
Watsons to open 20 new stores in the GCC
In 2020, global health & beauty retailer AS Watson Group signed its
April 29, 2024 | By Rupkatha B / 
What does it take to sustain profitable growth in the post-IPO phase?
Mahalle began its operations in 2022 as an “Authentic Turkish Grocery in
“Retail is a people’s business. When building a retail brand or the
From being one of the first retailers in Dubai to ban single-use
For starters, Rabbit is a growing e-commerce grocery platform in Egypt always
In 2024 grocery retail major Choithrams has achieved several milestones underscoring its
Industry pioneers are embracing a comprehensive strategy that integrates consumer insights, digital
The regional grocery retail market is evolving fast keeping pace with constantly
From ethical and local sourcing to adopting cutting-edge technologies to curb food
The regional grocery retail market is becoming more and more diverse, offering
/ 
An exclusive piece contributed By Oliver Morgan, Partner, Real Estate Development &
In what comes as a significant announcement, Middle East based eyewear majors
Emirati Gen Z women are seeking collaborative, culturally diverse and creatively enriching
The UAE, particularly Dubai, is a melting pot of cultures. However, introducing
More and more, convenience is king, personalisation is paramount, and RetailGPT is
GMG’s Everyday Goods – Retail division celebrates expansion milestone hitting 60 stores
Among several others, three key factors have fuelled the growth of homegrown
Empowering women, transforming communities: The rise of female-led businesses in Times Square Center
In its central Dubai location, Times Square Center stands not just as
One of UAE’s leading fresh food retailers, Spinneys has announced its intention
Acting as a bridge between Brazil and GCC markets offering a compelling
Previous Article
