The total spend on retail projects in the UAE reached USD $1084 million in 2010, whilst the demand for retail space is set to grow at a rate of 9.5% per annum in 2011 and 2012 in the GCC region (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar), according to the latest ‘GCC Construction Overview’ by Ventures Middle East published in January 2011.
dmg :: events is delighted to announce the official re-launch of the InRetail Exhibition 2011, taking place on 22 – 25 October 2011 in Dubai. The show will run alongside the INDEX Design Exhibition and will provide the retail industry with a sophisticated platform where retail professionals can view the latest solutions and systems for their retail stores.
InRetail Project Manager Michaella Black explains why the region’s only dedicated retail exhibition is the right event for clients wishing to target the retail markets in the GCC. “The GCC region is home to many of the most impressive and luxurious retail establishments in the world. Increasingly, retailers are changing their tactics to make sure that they achieve optimum business success. There is a greater need to enhance retail experiences through innovative store designs, ambient settings and technologies that all help to combat competition and build brand integrity. The retail market is one of the fastest growing industries in the GCC, and undoubtedly the figures quoted above demonstrate both the buoyancy of the retail market and the lucrative business opportunities that the region has to offer.”
For the first time in 2011, InRetail will be introducing a leading regional conference alongside the exhibition to engage the entire retail industry and allow them to capitalise on new market opportunities, meet with key personalities and explore new business opportunities.
Clifford Morris, Group Retail Operations Manager from retail giant EMKE says: “There is still a huge opportunity across the GCC for developing Hypermarkets, Supermarkets and Convenience Stores due to the changing shopping trends within the region. Consumers are changing from traditional markets to a more convenient one stop shop.
Changing lifestyles within the region mean that we are constantly looking to improve our consumer offer and to do this we are visiting trade shows and hypermarkets around the world to bring new ideas and innovations to our business. It is a huge benefit to us that InRetail is to re-launch the InRetail Exhibition in 2011, as it enables us to meet with companies and people who have a greater understanding of the GCC retail market.”
Founding Partner Mike Kent from Kinnersley Kent Design, a UK-based design agency who have worked with leading retail establishments such as Waitrose and John Lewis, said: “We find the InRetail exhibition to be the most effective of its kind in the region, and an ideal platform to raise awareness of our brand whilst meeting new design buyers and quality local suppliers from across the GCC. Having participated twice before, InRetail has helped us first to test the market, and then acted as a platform to launch our Dubai office in Jumeirah Lakes Towers.
This time we are participating to build our profile as an established retail design business, and we will showcase and share some of the great work our Middle Eastern clients have commissioned recently, from hotels to restaurants, fashion boutiques and supermarkets, to department stores.” Kent continued.
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