Organized by the Middle East Council of Shopping Centres & Retailers (MECSR), Retail Congress MENA brought together industry professionals under the theme ‘Hit Reset: Transforming Retail for Impact’.
Retail Congress MENA (RCM) 2025 that took place on 13th – 14th October at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Dubai, UAE was a two-day event organized by the Middle East Council of Shopping Centres and Retailers (MECSR) and convened industry professionals under the theme: “Hit Reset: Transforming Retail for Impact.”
The Retail Congress MENA (RCM) 2025 took place as the MENA shopping centre and retail sector experiences unprecedented expansion, driven by economic diversification programs such as Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s continued development as a global business and tourism hub. The region’s retail market is projected to surpass $1 trillion in the coming years, fueled by a young, tech-savvy population and rising consumer spending. RCM 2025 served as a critical platform for industry leaders to navigate this growth, addressing key trends from digital transformation and AI integration to the increasing demand for sustainable and experiential retail.
“The retail sector across the MENA region is undergoing significant transformation, driven by rapid urban development, the rise of digital commerce, sustainability goals, and evolving consumer expectations. Hitting reset is about pausing, reflecting, and rethinking business models to ensure they deliver meaningful impact: economically, socially, and environmentally.”
– David Macadam, CEO of MECSR.
The opening ceremony was led by David Macadam, CEO of MECSR, and news anchor Katie Jensen, who was also the Master of Ceremonies. The first day, themed “Resetting Foundations”, featured sessions from a diverse roster of industry pioneers on strategic shifts and foundational changes in the retail sector.
The morning agenda included a leadership address by Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), who emphasized the pivotal role of retail as a catalyst for economic diversification. A separate address on future technologies was delivered by J. Skyler (Sky) Fernandes, Founder & General Partner, VU Venture Partners, covering the transformative impact of AI, robotics, and SpaceTech on retail environments.
The congress featured perspectives from across the retail ecosystem, including top executives from leading developers, international brands, and tech innovators such as Yaser Binmahfouz, Chairman of SEDCO Holding; Mohyedin Saleh Kamel, Vice Chairman of Dallah AlBaraka Holding Co.; Mohammad Iqbal Alawi, Chairman of the Board at Azad Properties; and Michael Hirschfeld, Vice Chairman, Retail at JLL.
The afternoon schedule included a panel discussion on the “Developer’s Playbook” under the theme “Driving Growth in Saudi Retail”, followed by a session on the application of Agentic AI in shopping mall management. An exhibition showcasing the latest retail technologies and innovative solutions ran concurrently with the conference.
The congress continued on its second day, themed “Resetting Futures”, featuring sessions on leadership, global retail partnerships, and consumer experience strategies, led by more of the region’s foremost experts.