MENA'S MOST FUTURE-AWARE RETAIL GATHERING HIGHLIGHTED BY RETAIL'S BRIGHTEST MINDS
- 16 September 2026
- JW Marriott Marina, Dubai
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About
THE GROUND HAS SHIFTED. THE TIME TO REBUILD IS NOW.
For 15 years, MRF has been where the region’s retail leaders come to think, decide and move the industry forward.
This edition brings together the full retail spectrum — Food & Grocery, Food Service, Fashion, Footwear & Accessories, Health & Beauty, Home & Housewares, and Leisure & Entertainment — at a moment when the next blueprint for MENA retail is being drawn.
This is why the 15th Middle East Retail Forum gathers under the theme: Building the Next Blueprint.
When foundations are being laid, the names that show up matter. BE IN THE ROOM.
Why Attend
The Middle East Retail Forum 2026 brings together the region’s leading retailers, brands, innovators and decision-makers to explore the ideas shaping the future of retail. From retail technology and omnichannel commerce to marketing, operations and customer experience, MRF is where industry conversations turn into actionable strategies and lasting partnerships.
– Insights from top retailers, brands & policymakers
– Future-focused strategies on AI, retail tech & consumer trends
– Practical takeaways to drive business growth
– Network with C-suite leaders & innovators
– Build strategic partnerships across the retail ecosystem
– Expand your business opportunities
– Discover the latest retail technologies
– Explore AI, CX, payments & omnichannel solutions
– Live demos from leading solution providers
– Attend the 16th IMAGES RetailME Awards and honour the region's top retail brands & leaders
– Recognise excellence in innovation & customer experience
– Network with the industry's biggest names at retail's most prestigious awards evening
CONVERSATIONS ACROSS CATEGORIES
SPEAKERS 2026
Darine Elsabbagh
Darine Elsabbagh
Chalhoub Group (FACES)
Hassan Tamimi
Hassan Tamimi
The Little Things
Maha Mirza
Maha Mirza
Maison Lumière
Massimiliano Spalazzi
Massimiliano Spalazzi
Mumzworld.com
Pratik Patwari
Pratik Patwari
Loco Bear
Samina Ghori
Samina Ghori
Kaya Clinic
Sayed Habib
Sayed Habib
Danube Home
Christian Kiefer
Christian Kiefer
Spa Wellness Project Management
Who should attend?
Executive & Leadership
- CEO, Founder & Visionary Strategist
- Chief Retail Officer
- President, Future of Retail
- Managing Director, Retail Conglomerate
- Strategy & Growth Transformation Head
- Chief Investment & Expansion Officer
- Board Member, Retail Holding Group
- Head of M&A and Retail Portfolio Strategy
Retail & Store Operations
- Director of Retail Format Innovation
- Head of Store Experience & Design
- VP of Omnichannel Operations
- Retail Excellence & Training Lead
- Regional Head of Store Networks
- Area Manager, Flagship Formats
- Head of Store Technology Integration
- Visual Merchandising Director
E-commerce & Digital Retail
- Chief Digital Commerce Officer
- VP, E-commerce & Performance Marketing
- Head of Online Growth & D2C Strategy
- Director of Unified Commerce
- Marketplace Expansion Lead
- Head of Social Commerce & Live Shopping
- Product Owner, Retail Tech Platforms
- Digital Category Manager
Marketing, MarTech & Consumer Engagement
- Chief Brand & Engagement Officer
- VP of Retail Media & Monetisation
- Director of Loyalty & Personalisation
- Head of Consumer Insights & Behaviour
- Martech Stack Strategist
- Head of Content, Creators & Community
- Director of CRM & Lifecycle Marketing
- Retail Storytelling & Experiential Lead
Technology, Data & Innovation
- Chief Retail Technologist
- VP of Retail Innovation & Automation
- Director of AI, Data & Decision Science
- Head of In-store Tech Integration
- CTO, Retail Tech Startup
- Head of IT Infrastructure & CX Systems
- Cybersecurity Lead, Retail Systems
- Cloud & Data Architecture Director
Supply Chain, Fulfilment & Sustainability
- Chief Supply Chain Reinvention Officer
- VP of Retail Logistics & Delivery
- Head of Last-Mile & Micro-Fulfilment
- Director of Reverse Logistics
- VP of Sustainable Sourcing & Packaging
- Director of Circular Retail Practices
- Inventory Planning & Forecasting Lead
- Procurement & Vendor Partnerships Lead
Shopping Malls, Real Estate & Leasing
- CEO, Retail Real Estate Group
- VP of Mall Leasing & Partnerships
- Director of Tenant Mix & Innovation
- Mall Tech & Analytics Lead
- Head of Retailtainment Strategy
- Leasing Manager, Community Malls
- Mall CX and Footfall Strategy Lead
Mixed-use Development Strategist
D2C, Startups & Challenger Brands
- Founder, Digitally Native Brand
- Head of D2C Acceleration
- Category Manager, Emerging Brands
- Growth & Performance Marketing Lead
- E-commerce Head, Challenger Brand
- Head of CX & Retention, D2C Brands
- Direct Sales & Affiliate Strategy Lead
- Creator-led Brand Founder
Franchise, Distribution & International Expansion
- Franchise Development Director
- Head of Market Entry & Localization
- Regional Master Franchise Operator
- Distributor, Brand Licensing Partner
- International Retail Expansion Manager
- Franchisee Network Director
Service Providers & Enablers
- Retail Design & Experience Consultant
- Shopper Marketing & Activation Agency Lead
- Head of Payments & Fintech for Retail
- Retail Analytics & BI Consultant
- Logistics & Warehousing Provider
- Retail SaaS & ERP Platform Head
- POS, Checkout & Self-Service Solution Provider
- Retail Legal, IP & Regulatory Consultant
Investors, Advisors & Think Tanks
- Retail-focused Venture Capitalist
- Private Equity Partner – Consumer Sector
- Retail Strategy Consultant
- Trend Forecaster & Futurist
- Retail Market Intelligence Analyst
- Academics & Researchers – Retail & Urbanism
HR, Talent & Culture
- Chief People Officer, Retail Group
- Head of Retail Training & Development
- Talent Acquisition Lead – Retail & Hospitality
- HR Business Partner – Store & Field Teams
- Culture & Employer Branding Lead
- Organizational Development Consultant
PARTNERS 2025
COMMERCE PARTNER
GOLD PARTNER
GOLD PARTNER
GOLD PARTNER
GOLD PARTNER
RETAIL TECH PARTNER
SILVER PARTNER
SILVER PARTNER
SILVER PARTNER
SILVER PARTNER
SILVER PARTNER
SILVER PARTNER
SILVER PARTNER
SILVER PARTNER
SILVER PARTNER
SILVER PARTNER
SILVER PARTNER
STRATEGIC AI LANGUAGE PARTNER
ZERO QUEUE PARTNER
RETAIL INTELLIGENCE PARTNER
BRONZE PARTNER
BRONZE PARTNER
BRONZE PARTNER
BRONZE PARTNER
GIFT PARTNER
GIFT PARTNER
GIFT PARTNER
GLOBAL GATEWAY PARTNER
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PARTNER
SUPPORTING PARTNER FOR THE D2C ALMANAC
OFFICIAL PR PARTNER
MEDIA PARTNER
MEDIA PARTNER
REACH OUT TO OUR TEAM
FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES (DUBAI)
MANOJ PAUL SELVAN | +971 506878651 | manojpaul@imagesretailme.com
For Sponsorship Opportunities Middle East Events (India)
BINDU PILLAI | +91 9820324063 | bindupillai@imagesgroup.in
FOR PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES - KSA
WASEEM AHMAD | +966 564995019 | waseem@imagesretailme.com
EDITORIAL, SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS OR CORPORATE RELATIONS
ANURIMA DAS | +971 585905371 | anurima@imagesretailme.com
FOR DELEGATE REGISTRATION
SARIKA GAUTAM | +971 566959281 | sarika@imagesretailme.com
MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES
NAJU JOSEPH | +971 562829981 | naju@imagesretailme.com
FOR DELEGATE ENQUIRIES
GURU KIRUPA | +971 585398510 | kirupa@imagesretailme.com
FOR AWARDS ENQUIRIES
ZAHABIYA MURTUZA | +971 502065352 | zahabiya@imagesretailme.com
BOOTH FABRICATION
NEVILLE RODRIGUES | +91 9820404157 | neville@images-ent.com
Directions to the Venue
Date
16 September 2026
Venue
JW Marriott Marina, Dubai
Address
66 Al Marsa St - Dubai Marina – Dubai
