Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Tati, F&F, Matalan, Marks & Spencer, H&M, Mango, Zara – you name an international brand and it is more than likely that you’ll find it present in the GCC’s leading cities. F&B options include KFC, McDonald’s, The Cheesecake Factory, Five Guys and a host of others from every corner of the globe. The roster spans luxury to high street to value-for-money.
The world economy may currently be experiencing a slowdown that’s enveloping the region, but retail appears to be recession-proof in these dynamic markets, which include the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), where political unrest heightens market risk…
Dubai remains the gateway to the MENA region
Consider the following: In 2015, 57% of international brands tracked in the CBRE survey were present in Dubai; 38 new brands entered the city that year, 45 in 2014, 19 in 2013 and 25 in 2012. Abu Dhabi had 55 new brands in 2014 and 42 in 2013. Doha has figures of 29 in 2015 and 30 in 2014, while Muscat saw 17 new brands in 2012.
For the fifth year running, Dubai has retained its second spot after London among cities with the largest presence of international retailers, in CBRE Research’s annual monitor of cross-border retailer activity (How global is the business of retail). Abu Dhabi has also moved up the ranks to make the UAE a global retail powerhouse (third in the CBRE country rankings). The GCC isn’t far behind, with Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Oman figuring prominently.
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 / 
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
Spinneys, the leading premium fresh food retailer, has announced the opening of
Spinneys has announced the launch of The Kitchen by Spinneys, its first-ever
/ 
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
