المملكة: president "Retail leaders" It explains 3 strategic pillars for the leadership of Saudi brands regionally
Announce "Panos Lenardos"Chairman of the Global Retail Leaders Circle Forum, the capital Riyadh was chosen to host the forum’s activities for the year 2026 on February 3 and 4, stressing that this choice reflects Riyadh’s transformation into a global center of gravity in the digital economy and a vital meeting point between Digital transformation in the Kingdom is proceeding at a very advanced pace, but it is still in its early stages compared to the enormous size expected in the future, describing e-commerce as “small in size, but large in impact” for its role in bringing about structural changes in supply chains and the customer experience.
Lenardos stated that Saudi Vision 2030 played the role of the main driver of this growth, as it created an open competitive environment and opened broad investment horizons, benefiting from the great movement in sectors. Tourism, entertainment, and mega urban projects that have attracted new consumer segments.
He stressed that digital transformation does not mean the extinction of traditional stores, but rather redefines their role so that they transform from mere points of sale to interactive spaces that enhance the relationship with the brand, while routine purchases gradually move to faster and more efficient digital channels.
Local stores and the future of brands
He pointed out that local stores and the grocery sector still represent a pivotal element in The Saudi market, deriving its strength from geographical proximity and trust relationships extending for decades, which gives it a competitive advantage in the face of rapid technological changes.
Lenardos believes that Saudi brands are facing a historic opportunity for regional expansion, especially in the Gulf markets, benefiting from the low costs of digital expansion and their deep understanding of the local consumer culture, provided that they have a clear identity and strict operational discipline.
He warned at the same time of dual pressures facing the sector, represented by high costs. Employment, labor and technology, in exchange for changing consumer behavior, which has become more aware and sensitive to prices, which puts profit margins under the test of operational efficiency.
Lenardos concluded his speech by emphasizing that the future of retail lies in the “comprehensive retail” model and the experience economy, where technology and data are no longer just complementary tools, but rather have become the backbone of daily operation and the quality standard that will determine survival in the market during the next stage.
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