‘Retail Congress MENA 2026’ concludes with focus on Leadership, Growth and the Future of Retail
DUBAI, UAE, October 6, 2026:
‘Retail Congress MENA 2026’, organised by the Middle East Council of Shopping Centres & Retailers (MECSR), concluded on Tuesday at The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC, Dubai, bringing together retail leaders, shopping centre owners and operators, developers, investors and industry professionals from across the region.
Held under the theme ‘Level Up: Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,’ the two-day congress featured keynote sessions, panel discussions and industry conversations focused on leadership, retail expansion, investment, destination development and the changing consumer landscape across MENA.
The second day opened with ‘The Road to Jeddah,’ a session previewing the upcoming Retail Congress MENA – Jeddah Edition, scheduled for December 7–8 in Jeddah. The session featured Ayman Alburti, Chief Executive Officer, Azad Properties and Board President, MECSR, and Thamer AlAboud, Chairman, Tourism and Culture Council, Jeddah Chamber.
The speakers discussed Jeddah’s growing retail and real estate landscape, along with the city’s tourism and cultural ambitions and their implications for shopping centres, brands and destinations. They also highlighted emerging opportunities for developers, retailers and investors as Jeddah enters its next phase of growth.
The programme continued with ‘The Leadership Conversation: What It Takes to Lead Retail at Scale’ featuring Nasser Alajmi, Executive Director, Shared Services, AWJ Real Estate, and Neeraj Teckchandani, CEO, Apparel Group, moderated by Nada Ghaoui Abousaab, Co-Founder, FIKRA Consultants.
The discussion focused on the challenges of leading retail operations across multiple markets, from faster decision-making and managing larger teams to navigating change and developing the next generation of leaders. The speakers shared perspectives on setting priorities, knowing when to pivot and bringing teams along through periods of change.
The next session, ‘Betting Big on the Gulf: Brands, Markets and the Plans’ featured Kapil Sethi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, and Majid Algothmi, Acting Chief Executive Officer, RED Malls and Chief Operating Officer, Azad Properties, in conversation with Richard Dean, Master of Ceremonies.
The speakers discussed how retail groups are reshaping their portfolios by introducing new brands, entering new markets, developing new formats and expanding their digital businesses. They also outlined their priorities for future growth and highlighted the importance of strong partnerships between brands and landlords.
The programme then turned to ‘The Holy Cities Opportunity: A New Generation of Retail for Visitors and Residents’ featuring Konrad Kolankiewicz, Chief Commercial Officer, Knowledge Economic City (KEC), and Mohammad Iqbal Alawi, Vice Chairman of the Board, Alsarah Holding Company, with Nada Ghaoui Abousaab, Co-Founder, FIKRA Consultants, moderating the discussion.
The speakers discussed the growing retail opportunities in Makkah and Madinah, driven by new districts, transport links and hospitality developments. They also highlighted emerging demand, retail formats and opportunities for brands seeking to enter or expand in the two cities.
‘The Operator’s Playbook: Unlocking the Full Potential of Every Asset’ focused on how mall operators are enhancing the performance of major retail assets across the Gulf. The session featured Jihad Dirani, Chief Commercial Officer, Abdullah Al Othaim Investment Co; Khaled Abuhamdeh, Retail Property Director, Al-Futtaim Group; Khalid Aljanahi, Chief Commercial Officer, Cenomi Centers; and Rony Mourani, Chief Executive Officer, Mall of Qatar, with Richard Dean, Master of Ceremonies, moderating the discussion.
The speakers discussed changes to tenant mix, food and entertainment offerings, physical spaces and day-to-day operations, and how these strategies are influencing footfall, dwell time and tenant performance.
The final session, ‘The Next Wave: Retail, Dining and Destinations Reshaping the Mall’ featured Ahmad Alkashakri, Chief Executive Officer, Restaurants & Cafés Owners Association, and Todd Pilgreen, Principal & Co-Managing Director, Middle East, Gensler, in conversation with David Macadam, CEO, MECSR.
The discussion focused on the growing role of dining in driving visits and the evolution of destinations that bring retail, food and entertainment together, while highlighting changing consumer expectations and emerging demand across the region.
The event concluded with the MECSR Shopping Centre & Retailer MENA Awards, followed by a closing keynote address by David Macadam, CEO, MECSR, and Richard Dean, Master of Ceremonies.
