Majid Al-Futtaim expands lifestyle retail footprint across Saudi Arabia

Updated 24 April 2025

Arab News

April 24, 2025 11:24

Majid Al-Futtaim, a leading shopping malls, communities, retail, and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia, has announced the expansion of its lifestyle retail footprint in Saudi Arabia. As part of its continued commitment to the Saudi market, the group’s lifestyle business plans to open 13 new stores in 2025 — five already launched — bringing its total store count in the Kingdom to 31.

The expansion features a mix of global lifestyle and luxury brands across Riyadh and Jeddah. This includes the launch of the first Saudi stores for Italian smart luxury brand Eleventy and luxury menswear label Corneliani, both of which debuted this month at Solitaire Mall, Riyadh. In May, Poltrona Frau — the iconic Italian luxury furniture house — will open its first store outside the UAE at Centria Mall, further reinforcing Majid Al-Futtaim’s commitment to growing its luxury presence in the Kingdom.

Abercrombie and Fitch and lululemon also opened new stores in Solitaire Mall last month, marking an important step in their continued regional growth. The brands now operate six and nine stores respectively across the Kingdom, with new locations set to open in Jeddah later this year.

Fahed Ghanim, CEO of Majid Al-Futtaim Lifestyle, said: “Saudi Arabia continues to be a core focus for our business, and our retail expansion reflects both growing consumer demand and our confidence in the market. From fashion and wellness to home and design, our goal is to deliver more of the brands our customers love — while introducing fresh experiences through our exclusive global partnerships.”

“In a region where customers have an abundance of choice, our ambition is to curate a portfolio of global lifestyle and luxury brands that offer something truly distinctive in the Kingdom. By introducing brands like Eleventy, Corneliani, and Poltrona Frau, we are bringing new dimensions to the luxury market — combining timeless craftsmanship with modern sensibilities that resonate with the refined tastes of our customers.”

The launch of Eleventy in Solitaire Mall is part of an ambitious regional expansion for the brand with another four standalone Eleventy stores opening in key locations in 2025, including Mall of the Emirates, Marsa Al-Arab, Dubai Mall and The Grove in the UAE. Known for its commitment to sustainable practices and premium materials, Eleventy reflects the growing consumer demand for quality and subtle sophistication, all under the “Made in Italy” banner.

Marco Baldassari, co-founder and menswear creative director at Eleventy, said: “Eleventy’s philosophy of understated elegance and commitment to sustainability resonates strongly with the sophisticated Middle Eastern consumer. We are excited to strengthen our partnership with Majid Al-Futtaim, whose visionary approach to luxury retail is shaping a new vision with a growing focus on customer needs. Together, we aim to redefine luxury retail by offering timeless craftsmanship, sustainable practices, and innovative experiences.”

Majid Al-Futtaim’s lifestyle portfolio will also welcome a new Crate and Barrel store at Sahara Mall, Riyadh, reinforcing the brand’s presence in the capital. Meanwhile, in Jeddah, five new stores will launch at Jawharat Mall, including lululemon, Hollister, Eleventy, Abercrombie and Fitch, and AllSaints — bringing some of the world’s most in-demand fashion and lifestyle brands even closer to Saudi customers.

Majid Al-Futtaim’s retail expansion in Saudi Arabia builds on a record-breaking 2024, which saw a 26 percent increase in revenue across its lifestyle portfolio and a 31 percent surge in digital sales — including a 22 percent uplift in Saudi Arabia alone. The year also saw the opening of 17 new stores across the region, five of which are in the Kingdom, as well as flagship locations for brands such as lululemon, Crate and Barrel, and CB2, alongside 27 e-commerce platforms.

Trendyol and Zid partner to drive revenue growth and expansion for SMEs in KSA, UAE

Updated 15 May 2025

Arab News

May 15, 2025 10:35

Trendyol and Zid partner to drive revenue growth and expansion for SMEs in KSA, UAE

Updated 15 May 2025

Arab News

May 15, 2025 10:35

Trendyol, one of the world’s fastest-growing e-commerce marketplaces, and Zid, Saudi Arabia’s leading e-commerce enablement platform, have partnered to accelerate growth opportunities for merchants in the Kingdom and UAE by providing them with the tools to increase reach, scale, and grow digitally. This strategic partnership with Zid enables sellers to connect their stores to Trendyol, giving them instant access to over 3 million customers on the platform.

“Our focus has always been on empowering local businesses and enhancing the regional e-commerce ecosystem,” said Mohamad El-Ansari, CEO, Trendyol Gulf. “Zid shares many core values with us — from being a digital-first business to aiming to make a real impact on the local community and contributing toward the economic development of the region. This partnership opens new doors for brands and entrepreneurs to grow and marks an important step toward our longer-term ambition of enabling two-way commerce to and from Saudi. We’ve already welcomed 1,000 local SMEs to our platform in a short time, and with Zid, we’re well positioned to expand that reach and support even more businesses in their digital journey.”

Zid supports sellers to grow through a unified approach to digital and physical retail. The integration with Trendyol delivers on Zid’s Total Commerce vision, enabling merchants to manage every sales channel — online, offline, physical stores, and social commerce — through a single platform.

“With Trendyol as a key sales channel, Zid merchants can now set up their store and seamlessly sync their inventory, product listings, logistics, and payments, gaining access to one of the region’s fastest-growing digital marketplaces with millions of active, purchase-ready shoppers. Through Zid’s unified dashboard, they can manage all sales channels in one place, online and offline. “This powerful integration expands access to high-growth markets while equipping merchants with the tools and insights they need to scale. It reflects our commitment to being a catalyst for growth, unlocking regional opportunities for our merchants,” added Mazen AlDarrab, CEO of Zid.

This collaboration reflects Trendyol’s ongoing commitment to building a localized, inclusive marketplace that meets the evolving needs of Gulf consumers and businesses. As the company continues to grow its partner ecosystem, it remains focused on enabling more brands to scale seamlessly and succeed in the digital economy, as well as grow across borders.

Saudi brands eyeing global expansion get boost at expo

Updated 14 May 2025

Arab News

May 14, 2025 22:17

Saudi brands eyeing global expansion get boost at expo

Updated 14 May 2025

Arab News

May 14, 2025 22:17

The first International Floating Franchise Exhibition concluded its events with remarkable success aboard the luxurious Aroya Cruise, with wide international participation from representatives of 24 countries. Held under the patronage of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, the event witnessed the signing of several international and local agreements aimed at enhancing the global presence of Saudi brands and positioning the Kingdom as a regional and global hub for franchise business.

The closing ceremony commenced with a keynote speech highlighting the Saudi identity and its mission to promote a global culture of business through the initiative “Saudi Franchise to the World,” which served as the central theme of the exhibition.

During the event, cooperation agreements were signed between the National Franchise Committee and entities from several countries including the UK, South Korea, South Africa, and China, as part of a broader effort to support the international expansion of Saudi brands and attract foreign investments. In addition, local agreements were signed with key government entities such as Monsha’at (Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority) and the Social Development Bank, to strengthen the infrastructure of the franchise sector within the Kingdom.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Khalid Al-Ghamdi, chairman of the National Franchise Committee, emphasized the exhibition’s strategic objectives, including:

• Launching a specialized investment fund to support Saudi brands and empower their expansion into international markets.

• ntroducing an interactive digital platform designed to connect Saudi brands with global investors, providing qualification, marketing, and technical support services to streamline international franchising.

• Establishing a national company for the alliance of Saudi brands, aimed at facilitating collective global expansion through strategic partnerships, joint procurement, and service integration.

The closing ceremony also included the recognition of sponsoring companies, government and international partners, and the Saudi Restaurants and Cafes Owners Association, in appreciation of their vital role in the exhibition’s success.

Dr. Al-Ghamdi announced that preparations are underway to host the next floating exhibition in Istanbul, further reflecting the committee’s commitment to expanding the global footprint of Saudi franchising.

He concluded by expressing his sincere gratitude to the team at the Federation of Saudi Chambers, and the crew of Aroya Cruise, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, praising their dedication and outstanding efforts in delivering this exceptional event.

The exhibition ran for three days, featuring 10 interactive workshops led by experts from various countries, alongside showcases of a wide array of Saudi brands eager to expand internationally — all aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to establish the Kingdom as a global center for franchising.

Trade show offers gateway to KSA’s $10.39bn hardware market

Updated 14 May 2025

Arab News

May 14, 2025 22:16

Trade show offers gateway to KSA’s $10.39bn hardware market

Updated 14 May 2025

Arab News

May 14, 2025 22:16

dmg events and Koelnmesse have partnered to bring the globally renowned “EISENWARENMESSE — International Hardware Fair” (Cologne, Germany) to Saudi Arabia for the very first time. Building on the success of Koelnmesse’s flagship event and adding the profound regional track record of dmg events in the Middle East region, newly launched International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia will take place June 16-18 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center.

The event is poised to position Saudi Arabia as a key player in the global hardware and tools industry, offering a strategic gateway to the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding $10.39 billion market. Spanning more than 7,800 square meters of exhibition space, the inaugural edition will welcome over 200 exhibitors from more than 25 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Germany, China, India, Italy, the UAE, Qatar, and Greece.

As the nation accelerates efforts to become a global business and investment hub, the International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia will unite manufacturers, distributors, and decision-makers to cater for the concrete demand and to exchange ideas on innovations, explore emerging technologies, and drive sustainable growth.

“The launch of International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia marks an exciting milestone for dmg events as we partner with Koelnmesse, reflecting a shared commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s industrial advancement and enabling companies to build valuable connections in line with Vision 2030,” said Muhammed Kazi, senior vice president — construction, dmg events.

“With our deep-rooted presence in Saudi Arabia and a proven track record of delivering impactful exhibitions, this event will facilitate growth and acceleration, offering visitors and exhibitors a meeting ground for strategic collaboration with direct access to one of the region’s fastest growing markets.”

“Saudi Arabia is undergoing an extraordinary transformation with a growing need for world-class exhibitions that meet the industry’s evolving demands,” added Denis Steker, senior vice president International, Koelnmesse. “Partnering with dmg events enables us to extend the International Hardware Fair’s global footprint while tailoring it to meet the specific needs of the Saudi Arabian market. We look forward to facilitating meaningful exchange between global suppliers and stakeholders, creating long-term value for the hardware and tools sector.”

“It’s quite interesting to see such an international fair happening in Saudi Arabia. This fair has been happening in Cologne for many years and I’ve visited it numerous times, looking for specialties, high-quality products, new partnerships, and exploring new lines of business. To see this happening in the local market is a significant advantage for the economy and the industry itself,” said Abdallah Katerji, general manager, Albawardi Tools and Hardware. “Since the hardware and tools business is quite specialized, where knowledge is incredibly important and is something that you need to continuously strive for, having such fairs happening locally will definitely improve this experience.”

SAB first in Kingdom to earn CIPS Gold Award

Updated 14 May 2025

Arab News

May 14, 2025 19:32

SAB first in Kingdom to earn CIPS Gold Award

Updated 14 May 2025

Arab News

May 14, 2025 19:32

The recognition highlights SAB’s leadership and ongoing commitment to embedding global standards in procurement and supply chain practices.

Saudi Awwal Bank, one of the Kingdom’s leading financial institutions, has become the first Saudi entity and the 11th worldwide to be awarded the Gold Certification from the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply under its global Procurement Excellence Programme.
This recognition highlights SAB’s leadership and ongoing commitment to embedding global standards in procurement and supply chain practices. It reflects the bank’s strategic focus on governance, ethical sourcing, and sustainable procurement, all central to SAB’s broader vision of operational excellence and innovation.
The Gold Award is one of the highest levels of certification offered by CIPS and is awarded to organizations that demonstrate robust procurement leadership, effective integration across the business, and strong performance management aligned with global best practices.
Ghada Al-Jarbou, chief operating officer at SAB, said: “The CIPS Advanced Gold Certification validates the strength of our procurement transformation. It reflects our focus on building robust governance, enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring our procurement function supports long-term innovation and resilience. This achievement demonstrates SAB’s commitment to operational excellence and strategic growth, which in turn strengthens our ability to deliver sustainable value to our employees, customers and shareholders.”
Ben Farrell, CIPS CEO, said: “This is a proud moment for SAB and a milestone for the wider procurement profession in the Kingdom. SAB’s achievement of the CIPS Gold Award is a clear indication of its commitment to placing procurement at the center of business strategy and transformation. This award recognizes SAB’s excellence in governance, strategic alignment, and operational delivery.”
The CIPS Procurement Excellence Programme is an internationally recognized framework used by public and private sector organizations worldwide to benchmark, assess and enhance their procurement functions. It evaluates performance across leadership, strategy, people, process, and systems — providing a roadmap for continuous improvement.

Building a resilient mindset key for businesses to mitigate cyberattacks

Updated 14 May 2025

Arab News

May 14, 2025 17:40

Building a resilient mindset key for businesses to mitigate cyberattacks

Updated 14 May 2025

Arab News

May 14, 2025 17:40

For organizations to have the best chance of minimizing the impact of any cyberattack, it is essential they take a proactive approach and gain visibility into where they are vulnerable. That means developing a resilient mindset throughout the business.

Resilience is becoming an increasingly important part of how organizations approach cybersecurity, as businesses realize the inevitability of attacks and the limitations in only focusing on attempting to stop these.

A study by Gartner finds organizations that leverage the principles of resilience outperform their less resilient peers, and build stronger, more adaptable cybersecurity programs.

Central to this is the concept of creating a truly “zero-trust” mentality, which provides the bedrock for any organization’s cyber strategy. “Zero-trust is not a product but a concept,” explained Tony Fergusson, CISO in Residence at cloud-based cybersecurity platform Zscaler, who helped develop the theory.

Building a resilient mindset is a core element of zero-trust, encouraging individuals to take responsibility for cybersecurity rather than leaving it to IT teams. This means, Fergusson said, actively involving employees in planning exercises to test the impact of a cyberattack, so they can see at first hand just how serious an incident can be. “I’ve been inside the war room and people react very differently,” he said. “Some completely freeze and just don’t know what to do. Others step up and take charge.”

Tabletop exercises, where teams of people meet up to tackle fictitious but plausible scenarios to test how they would respond and take away key lessons for future events, can be an excellent way of helping people understand their role and responsibilities. “We need to sit with the people who are going to be in the crisis room and make sure that we have a plan,” said Fergusson. “Often it can get very mixed up in terms of who is doing what, and the result is that not a lot happens.”

Such exercises can then be used to develop specific roles for individuals in a crisis. “One of the other things I’ve found is that we tend to overreact,” he added. “Sometimes the reaction is to shut everything down. But that can cause even more damage, because maybe some things were still working. Once you’ve turned everything off, it can be difficult to get systems back up and running. That’s not a nice place to be.”

As well as working with employees, organizations need to develop a wider culture of resilience. This means taking a more proactive approach to identifying potential risks rather than relying on more reactive techniques. “Endpoint detection and response and other tools are very much about trying to detect something and respond to it,” said Fergusson. “That time to respond is coming down so much that we need to think about what controls we can put in place. If we can look for where we have risk, then we can mitigate it before something happens.”

A central tenet of the zero-trust concept is removing the attack surface. “You can’t attack what you can’t see,” said Fergusson. “If I remove my attack surface as an organization, that is a proactive measure I can take to prevent an attacker compromising my infrastructure.”

Existing technology can also help organizations take more proactive steps, he added, including Sandbox, which will run applications in a controlled environment to test it, before delivering it to the user. “There’s also now technology like browser isolation,” he said. “This means we can isolate the browser in the cloud and only send the pixels to the user, so if there’s a malicious piece of code, it’s not able to run on the endpoint. It removes the attack surface for the user.”

Breach attack simulation tools and even artificial intelligence can also identify where the biggest risks lie, and how these can be mitigated. “We need to find out what is the most important part of the technology that needs to run and make sure we build resilience around it,” he said, adding that industry standards often only provide a basic minimum in terms of resilience. Once the biggest risks have been identified and mapped, organizations can deploy a risk register and use key performance indicators to drive teams to resolve those.

A resilient mindset also means reviewing how organizations use the technology they have at their disposal. “Sometimes the problem is the way the technology is used or configured,” Fergusson pointed out. “If I have a firewall, but I don’t configure policy in it, how resilient am I going to be against attack? That’s where we have a lot of work to do.”

Underpinning all of this is the need for visibility. “That is a superpower,” concluded Fergusson. “If we’re able to mitigate risk before that attacker comes after us, before that network fails or before that person makes a human error, that’s true resilience.”

To find out more about how Zscaler can help your business build a resilient mindset, visit zscaler.com

The writer is Nick Martindale, copywriter for Zscaler.

Majid Al-Futtaim expands lifestyle retail footprint across Saudi Arabia