Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: The 2025 RLC Global Forum concluded in Riyadh after two days of discussions, bringing together leaders from across the retail value chain to explore global best practices and market opportunities.
The event focused on transformative trends in retail, including the role of public-private partnerships, the projected growth of shopping malls in Saudi Arabia, and the increasing potential of value-driven grocery retail, with 70% of regional consumers expressing interest in affordability-focused models. Additionally, the rise of travel retail and omnichannel commerce emerged as key growth areas.
Luxury retail, expected to reach $49 billion in regional e-commerce sales by 2025, was another major focus. Industry leaders, including CEOs of Chalhoub Group and Harrods, examined the sector's shifting dynamics, emphasizing the balance between heritage and innovation, the importance of hyper-personalization, and the integration of digital strategies to maintain exclusivity while addressing evolving consumer expectations.
A report by Oliver Wyman, titled “The Affordability Imperative,” was presented during the event, offering strategies for value-driven grocery retail in the GCC while addressing the challenges specific to the region. Meanwhile, a significant partnership was announced through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the RLC Global Forum and WHITE Milano. This collaboration, part of the WHITE CIRCLE initiative, aims to expand opportunities for fashion and luxury brands globally by driving growth in the new luxury segment.
The Forum also honored retail pioneers during the exclusive RLC Honors VIP Dinner held at Diriyah. Among the recipients were Fawaz Abdulaziz Al Hokair of Cenomi Group for Lifetime Achievement in Retail Excellence, Nilesh Ved of Apparel Group for pioneering retail entrepreneurship, Michael Ward of Harrods for excellence in luxury retail, Supaluck Umpujh of The Mall for contributions to lifestyle retail destinations, and Geoffroy van Raemdonck for visionary retail leadership.
The event showcased Saudi Arabia’s accelerating retail transformation and its growing influence on the global stage. Chairman Panos Linardos emphasized the Forum’s success as a platform for collaboration and innovation, noting the critical engagement of strategic stakeholders and the launch of the International Retail Council (IRC) initiative, which aims to drive impactful partnerships, innovative ideas, and thought leadership in the sector.
