VOL 1 ISSUE 6

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30

The United Arab Emirates Foodservice Market size is estimated at 19.98 billion USD in 2024 and is expected to reach 43.98 billion USD by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 17.10% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

VARIETY ON DEMAND

According to the Mordor Intelligence report, demand for a comprehensive and luxurious dining experience, including table service, ambiance, and gourmet cuisine, has helped in catering to the largest share of this segment. But the demand for online ordering, deliveries from cloud kitchens are increasing at 18.85% CAGR and is fast gaining popularity. This segment is becoming a very popular category for the industry owing to a reduced set up cost and overhead expenses in running these outlets. In fact, there is 60.48% higher demand for localised concepts and cuisines. This shows that the consumer wants a taste of the local flavours more than anything else.

Fadi Serhal has recently started his F&B journey in an exciting new role of Country Business Director at Pret A Manger (KSA). Fadi was earlier leading the journey of growth at YOGi as an Executive Director. Business growth & strategy has always been his biggest strength, wherein all across his career of 15+ he has been leading the change putting forward the best leadership qualities.

Gatsby Dubai announced the appointment of Maxime Lejuez as General Manager ahead of its September opening at Palm Jumeirah. With extensive experience in global culinary capitals, Maxime brings a unique vision to Gatsby Dubai, promising an unforgettable blend of dining, entertainment, and 1920s-inspired glamour.

TREND

SPOTTING

THE POWER OF
COMMUNITY
“Customisation and community-building will remain at the top of every retailer’s mind. Fashion retailers, particularly, are embracing the concept of customisation and trying to offer personalised products and services to customers just to build a community of like-minded people. This trend is gathering a lot of momentum, alongside sustainable practices”.

Neeraj Teckchandani

Group Chief Executive Offcer
Apparel Group

TREND

SPOTTING

TIMELESS
APPROACH
“If you are building a ‘brand for tomorrow’ and portraying your brand as the ‘brand of choice’ for Gen Z then sustainability is not an option anymore, it is a must. In KSA pricing is a factor of consideration as customers don’t like to pay a premium or bear that extra cost when it comes to investing in a sustainable product. However, social responsibility is a big factor too and sustainability is a key trend to align with social causes and responsibly stand up to the situation to create a brand that will resonate with a youth-centric customer base”.

May Kanounji

Chief Executive Offcer
Blooming

TREND

SPOTTING

SERVING NOSTALGIA

“With a population of about 10 million residing in the UAE, of which 50% are Indian expats, there is huge potential for Indian cuisine to thrive in this region. The availability of Indian ingredients, from basic staples like Tata Salt to regional spices and ghee, helps Dhaba Lane recreate the authentic North Indian cuisine that resonates with their clientele across four branches. However, the challenge lies in balancing these authentic flavours with the diverse palates of Dubai’s multicultural population”

Eti Bhasin

Owner of Dhaba Lane and Mahi
Cafe by Dhaba Lane

TREND

SPOTTING

CONTINUOUS INNOVATION

“To stay ahead, we constantly innovate our menu, introducing new products and supporting seasonal trends. This approach keeps our offerings fresh and exciting, ensuring we meet and exceed customer expectations. Overcoming challenges and winning customers were not easy, but we have stayed put with innovation and it has helped us achieve several major business milestones over the past 12-24 months. Notably, we reached a significant milestone in 300,000 customer orders since our launch, reflecting on our growing popularity and customer base.”

Alan Honein

Co-founder, SugarMoo

“My company is an extension of ME, so when I designed my stores, I wanted people to feel that they were in my HOME.”

 

Tory Burch

Executive Chairman & Chief Creative Officer, Tory Burch

Paco Underhill

Why we buy: The Science of Shopping

Career in Retail

This book highlights the latest online retail trends, examining what companies like Amazon are doing well (and where they fall short) while offering ways for large internet retailers to improve customer service.

Behind the Byline

RetailME presents SHELF TALK | Julianne Holt-Kailihiwa | Chief Executive Officer | Sumo Sushi & Bento

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