On this episode we have invited two distinguished retail professionals and representatives of Semir Group, Chris Attwel & Lucy Lu. We will talk about the rapid expansion of Semir Group globally and they will help us understand how they were able to do it so fast. Semir Group in 2020, achieved a total revenue of US$2.3 billion and profit of US$124 million. By 2021, their footprint consisted of 3,000 stores for the Semir brand in China, another 4,800 stores for the children’s brand balabala and more than 50 POS’ outside China.

Voice on Demand Podcast by MECS+R (MECSC)

Chinese garment giant Semir Group’s global expansion post-covid

What changed in the retail business over the last 15 years? We invited Bob Poline, President of Bob Poline Associates Inc. to help us understand what is happening in our industry. Together with his expertise of 41 years as a retail professional, we discuss retail's evolution, future trends, and what kind of people would businesses need to actually "have a future".

Are Malls Dead?

Learn in depth of what is Omni Channel Retailing. How the evolution of Omni Channel Retailing impact the retail industry. What are the opportunity / benefits of Omnichannel Retailing from some of the case studies of brands with a brilliant omnichannel strategy. Member Guest: Venkat Nott, Founder CEO, Vinculum Group

Omnichannel Is No Longer A Choice But A Necessity

FEC's or Family entertainment centres, rapidly became the anchor tenants across the globe in different shopping centres in the past several years. And simply because it became an essential element to provide the experience inside malls. With the advancement of technology, a dream for most people has become a reality recently, and that is Virtual Reality. We invited Mr. Frederic Fittousi - MD of Virtual Centre today, to explain to us the future of retail-entertainment. Frederic@virtualcenter.ae, www.virtual-center.com 

Virtual Reality: The Future of Retail Entertainment in Shopping Malls

Mr. Phil McArthur, a member of MECS+R since 1996, will discuss on this episode about the best practices and the how to's on developing retail assets correctly. Mr. Phil have developed and advised many shopping centres that are now successful today, including but not limited to, MAF Shopping Malls, Citystars Cairo, Al Futtaim Malls and more.

Retail Rescue: How to reposition a struggling retail development asset?

With Habil Ahmed Khan, Director of Operations for The Gulberg Mall & Signature Living in Islamabad, Pakistan. We had a lovely discussion about the vast opportunities of retailing in Pakistan. How the increasing tourism will affect the retail industry. And why the country is getting more and more attention from tourists in a global scale. Do you want to know more? Contact publishing@mecsc.org

Is Pakistan your next must visit place on earth?

Learn about today's business model challenge, building a resilient enterprise, why resilience is important and how to become a more resilient company. Let's hear from Mohammad Alawi, CEO and partner of REDS Real Estate Development Solutions in Jeddah. REDS thrives to help fill the gaps in the kingdom’s real estate market by introducing unique commercial/mixed-use real estate products that are interlaced with the end user’s day to day life.

Retail Property Management Company Resilience & Sustainable Future

FOOD+DESIGN+SERVICE (Excellence) = SALES + MANAGEMENT = ASSET GROWTH Francis Loughran, founding director of Future Food, specialising in Food, Restaurant and Hospitality Consultancy shares his insights on the importance of hospitality mindset to reinvigorate the hospitality industry. -Using solid and relevant data and personal experience to master planning a customer-centric food and hospitality mix -Calculating sustainable volumes of food and hospitality to ensure MAT maximization, a balanced mix and future proofing order to reduce risk -Develop a mix that reflects a range of authentic and passionate-food operators - local, national and international -Proven food and hospitality operators that understand the values and vision of the mall project and implement the business of food approach to the business case and creativity of passionate foodies. Food and design are inseparable – design to succeed and budget accordingly

Hospitality Mindset – Thinking-Hospitality To Maximising Service And Sales

Bob Phibbs is an internationally recognized business strategist, customer service expert, sales coach, marketing mentor, author of three books, and motivational business speaker. In 1994, Phibbs started his retail consulting company, The Retail Doctor. His clients include some of the largest retail brands in the world including Bernina, Brother, Caesars Palace, Hunter Douglas, Lego, Omega, Hearts on Fire, Vera Bradley and Yamaha. One of the top retail influencers of 2018 and a Top Voice on LinkedIn, Phibbs is also an American Express merchant advisor, IBM retail futurist, and RetailWire BrainTrust partner. He has appeared on ABC, Fox, MSNBC, PBS and he and his work have been featured in articles in Entrepreneur, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. He performs business makeovers for the Los Angeles Times. With over 30 years experience beginning in the trenches of retail and extending to senior management positions, Phibbs has been a corporate officer, franchisor, and entrepreneur. He received the highest increase in sales from South Coast Plaza, at that time the highest grossing mall in the USA.

Being Resilient and Hopeful in a Time of Change by Bob Phibbs, The Retail Doctor

 How did the covid-19 pandemic changed customer’s behavior? On this episode with Alyssa Almaiahi, Creative Director of Mint Stalk Creative and Digital Agency, let’s explore the changes and effective marketing strategies to which combines online and in-store tactics to drive sales and loyalty. Brought to you by the Middle East Council of Shopping Centres and Retailers. Do you want to know more? To reach out to Alyssa, contact their Mint Stalk UAE office on +971 58 504 8627 or send her an email directly at Alyssa@mintstalk.com

Changes in Customer Behavior & Marketing Strategies for Retailers

David is the author of the book ‘Why Customers Leave (and How to Win Them Back)’ In his session, he will talk about your changing customers with the recent shift in mindset and expectation, how it has affected the retail industry and provide solutions and strategies to drive, retain and attract customers.

Your Customers are Changing. Are You? by David Avrin

This episode with Albert Correya from Becomap. Know how business can revive and prevail despite the on-going challenges and how omni-channel presence is going to be the future of retail. Understand how proximity marketing is going to be a game changer. And explore why it has an incomparable increase in conversion rate for retail when compared to other model. www.mecsc.org www.retailcongressmena.com

Marketing Beyond Crisis: Leveraging The Power Of Location

 This is Part 2 of our episode with Shannon Alter, CPM. On this episode we will talk about what to expect for the Retail Industry globally in the next few years. How should retailers and shopping centres interact with one another and what should be their focus? Brought to you by the Middle East Council of Shopping Centres and Retailers. Shannon Alter, CPM is a Member of the MECS+R, to reach out to her, contact us at publishing@mecsc.org or visit www.mecsc.org 

(Part 2) - How will you communicate differently? With Shannon Alter, CPM

 On this episode with Shannon Alter, CPM let us explore her journey in the Retail and Real Estate Industry and get inspired. Let us take this opportunity to learn from her experiences and be prepared in Deal Making, building long-lasting relationships! Establish your path to success by learning the fundamentals to deal with your clients. Brought to you by the Middle East Council of Shopping Centres and Retailers. Shannon Alter, CPM is a Member of the MECS+R, to reach out to her, contact us at publishing@mecsc.org or visit www.mecsc.org 

(Part 1) - How will you communicate differently? With Shannon Alter, CPM

Explore retailing in Iraq and its opportunities with MECS+R Member, Ihsan Zangana, Managing Director of IZ Developments. Ihsan heads the development of the upcoming Mall of Kirkuk in Erbil, Iraq. With the recent developments in the economy of the country, retail has seen significant changes in its trends. Consumers are also seeking more options for brands. How do we take advantage of these opportunities? Let us explore this topic today, only at the VOD Retail Podcast by the Middle East Council of Shopping Centres & Retailers.

Retailing in Iraq: Seizing the Opportunity of Change

Welcome to the Voice on Demand Podcast by MECS+R (MECSC)! The Voice on Demand podcast is designed to help advance the Shopping Centre and Retail Industry in the region. Listeners will come to be inspired, motivated, get entertained, and educated by the most promising Retail Professionals in the Industry sharing their Retail Tips, Shopping Mall Strategies, Retail Market Trends and Overview and Retail Industry Related Insights among others. Should you wish to be featured on our show, send us an email at connect@mecsc.org. Happy Listening!

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Voice on Demand Podcast by MECS+R (MECSC)

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