What we think

This article examines how rising tensions in the Middle East may affect supply chains across GCC sectors, from agribusiness to hospitality, and outlines proactive strategies for ensuring operational continuity and economic stability.

Explore how structured strategies, data-driven insights, and expert advisory can transform retail product ideas into market-ready success stories, tailored to consumer needs and trends.

Private labels are gaining ground in the FMCG space—but emerging brands can still win. This article reveals strategic insights for differentiation through innovation, sustainability, and digital agility.

Explore how innovation and supply chain optimization are driving sustainable growth in the Middle East’s booming aquaculture sector.

Brand architecture enables you to manage what people perceive about all components of your brand.

Hospitality and leisure companies are embracing sustainable food practices across the United Arab Emirates and beyond.

Most industries are seeing a move towards "green" by focusing on ways to enhance operational efficiencies with a goal of reducing impact on the planet.

E-commerce aims to be fast and efficient. That comes at the cost of personalization in the most common form.

For the Millennial generation, the move to smart technology and enhanced efficiency was critical to keeping travelers happy and their needs met.

Expanding your brand globally is more possible than ever, and in 2025, with emerging technology and shifting consumer behavior, it is more likely to happen.

For retail destinations in the United Arab Emirates, the surrounding Middle East, and Africa regions, technology offers an enticing opportunity to reach more consumers with better sales strategies.

With brand architecture, the focus is on creating a structure for your brand from which every digital marketing strategy, campaign, and reach opportunity will stem.

The mobile payment market in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to grow. Mobile point-of-sale (POS) solutions provide a way for retailers to grow sales anywhere, not just in one fixed location in a store

In a crowded marketplace, brand story helps a food and beverage product stand out. Without it, that product lacks character, interest, or attention from would-be consumers.

While artificial intelligence (AI) may still be new to some areas of the agricultural industry here, there are numerous ways technology, in general, is directly contributing to food stability and lower overall costs for consumers.

In the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the full Middle East and Africa region, retail competition is growing.Consider the following 7 common retail mistakes that could be limiting your business success and how to avoid them.

Fertilizer technology continues to expand and offer new opportunities to provide better-quality products. This technology, including the use of biofertilizers and microbial inoculants, is helping to improve the industry in numerous ways.

Poultry is a core component of the global food supply. It provides important access to nutrients to numerous populations. Global production has reached 140 Mln. Ton in 2023 and continues to grow at a steady pace year after year.

Green retailing, sustainable retail strategies, environmentally safe retail -each of these phrases is taking over the retail industry as consumers seek to buy from companies that do their part to protect the planet.

By 2050, the world’s population will reach 10 Bln, making innovations like artificial intelligence in modern agriculture critical to food security. Agribusiness consulting firms are now working to deploy more AI-based solutions to facilitate industry-wide

With the global population expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050, the demand for food is skyrocketing. The Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are feeling this pressure. These areas face challenges like arid climates,

69% of global consumers value sustainability more than they did two years ago. In the Middle East and Africa, South Africa leads, with 81% of consumers emphasizing sustainability, followed by Türkiye at 70% and Saudi Arabia at 55%.

Shopping malls have always been at the heart of our retail world. But by 2030, these familiar places are set to change in ways that will transform how we shop, hang out, and relax.

What's cooking in the food and beverage world? Get a taste of the top trends shaping the industry in 2024. From new flavors to sustainable practices, we've got you covered.

As the global appetite for seafood continues to rise, the pressure on wild fish populations has sparked a critical shift towards sustainable aquaculture.

The Emerging Trends and Innovations Shaping the Future of Retail in the UAE and Beyond

Aquaculture is becoming increasingly important in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and the wider Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. This industry provides a sustainable solution to meet the growing demand for seafood.

The food and beverage (F&B) industry in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, particularly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, has been seeing remarkable growth and transformation.

Agriculture plays a vital role in the economic and social fabric of the GCC, Middle East and Africa despite the sector’s modest contribution to GDP.

The United Arab Emirates is synonymous with innovation. As the retail sector continues to thrive in this region, businesses have leaned into trends to stay ahead of the curve.

Dubai is a major layer in global tourism, calling the attention of visitors from around the world. Renowned for its iconic skyline, bustling souks, and world-class attractions,

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is rapidly transforming its agricultural industry through the adoption of agri-tech innovations, addressing critical issues of food security and sustainability.

With a predicted 158 K metric tons of egg consumption by 2028 and an anticipated poultry meat market valuation of $USD 1.31 bln by 2029, the UAE’s poultry sector is booming.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the greater MENA region are making strides in modernizing the agricultural sector, including livestock management.

The digital revolution that saw e-commerce ride to the top of the retail sector is far from over. While in-person shopping experiences have returned to pre-pandemic levels

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the most exciting regions of the world for those seeking to grow a business. A wealthy foundation of consumers, supplemental by a global population of expats, makes this a prime area for opportunity.

There may not be a better region of the world to look at when it comes to not just urban design and innovative architecture but also sustainable features through the incorporation of green buildings and eco-friendly designs.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and the full-on Middle East and African regions are some of the most important food and beverage industries in the world.

The poultry market in United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and the surrounding region continues to grow. Data indicates that, in 2024, the industry has a $1.2 Bln market share and that is expected to grow substantially over the next 10 years.

Using brand benchmarking services to identify your brand’s progress is a significant asset, and using expertise to understand your business ensures optimal results.

Retail design plays a critical role in shaping the physical environment of a retail store, but that’s not all. Strategic design also influences customer perceptions, buying behavior, and business success.

Brand development is the backbone of any successful marketing strategy, shaping how a company is perceived by its customers and the broader market. It's about more than just a logo or a catchy tagline.

The UAE retail landscape is dynamic and ever-changing, with a growing emphasis on luxury brands, of which market revenue amounts to USD 2,881 million in 2024, and a thriving e-commerce market.

The future of green-clean hydrogen in the UAE offers significant potential for sustainable energy development.

The UAE has some of the world’s largest oil reserves, yet the region is shifting toward a more sustainable approach to energy. By transforming its energy approach,

In 2024, the retail industry is positioned for continued transformation to adapt to changing consumer preferences and technological advancements.

Southeast Asia (SEA) is experiencing a population surge, expecting to reach 750 million by 2035 (a 12 percent increase from 2020). With the region’s high dependence on agriculture, focusing on food security through crop management is essential to protect

In an increasingly interconnected world, the reliability of supply chains has become a critical factor of business success, making it essential for companies to stay updated with evolving logistics trends.

The global organic farming market has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, driven by increasing consumer demand for healthier and more sustainable food choices.

For the Arabian Peninsula, COP28 may serve as a pivotal moment, inspiring the UAE and Saudi Arabia to accelerate their transition to sustainable, low-carbon economies, setting a positive example for the region.

Consumer goods companies in the Middle East and Africa region have faced no shortage of challenges in recent years. From supply chain disruptions to inflationary pressures, the operating environment has rapidly shifted in unpredictable ways.

Today’s business landscape is fiercely competitive, with consumers being inundated with choices and product options. As a brand owner, you must distinguish your product in a crowded marketplace, garnering interest and resonating with your target audience.

Around the world, climate change has led to changing weather patterns, altered growing seasons, the spread of pests and diseases, and water scarcity that affects agriculture and food supply.

The strategic design of a retail store has a profound influence on consumer behavior, enhancing the customer experience, influencing buying decisions, and increasing e-commerce sales.

Imagine stepping into the world-renowned Dubai Mall, an actual shrine to consumerism in the heart of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. You're surrounded by brands that embody opulence and elegance. There are sparkling Cartier timepieces here and the sleek mode

After a prolonged period of economic ambiguity in 2023, business leaders are staring at the eye of uncertainty like never before. High inflation, rising interest rates, and recession fears pressure companies intensively. Thankfully, every challenge brings

Today’s dynamic shopping landscape offers consumers various choices to meet their evolving needs. Creating a personalized shopping experience provides a way to stay ahead of the curve and meet customers’ ever-changing expectations.

In an era marked by unprecedented global challenges, the need to drive sustainable and inclusive growth in G20 economies has become imperative, both as a strategic necessity and a moral imperative.

Retail stores offer an assortment of challenges for attracting buyers. From what items to stock to how many staff should be on the floor at all times, retail shop owners make a lot of decisions.

The retail industry has housed a variety of changes over the last several decades, including a renewed interest on the customer experience.

Most people feel excited when opening a retail store. As they sort through the products they’ll sell, make deals with distributors and find the perfect location, most store owners have a lot on their plate.

If you ever walked into a store after looking in the window, then you know how powerful visual merchandising can be. It’s what piqued your interest and made you want to go inside.

Private labels are seeing a renaissance. Individuals remain in as much as possible during the epidemic, panic and mass shopping have ensued, resulting in many branded products flying off shelves. Private labels positioned to provide competitive edge.

Retailers and brands alike are concerned about millennials' growing influence and purchasing power, those that embody the "digital native" attitude.

The fashion industry is going through a digital transformation. This means that new, innovative methods are replacing traditional ways of doing things.

As with any generation, the younger ones eschew the way their parents did things and blaze new trails.

In its most ideal form, agricultural productivity is concerned with contributing to the feeding of an ever-expanding world population while concurrently protecting the natural resource base on which future food production depends.

Climate change is not a new topic. In 1988, climate change became an issue when global warming became front-page news.

It’s where much of the best technological innovation is taking place today. As retail design firms try to help outlets make the most of profit, convenience and efficiency, technology is providing the roadmap to provide outstanding customer experience.

The e-commerce industry is evolving at breakneck speed. In fact, the pace is fast enough that it can be pretty hard to get a handle on where things are headed without help from retail design firms – even if you're right in the middle of it all.

We understand the investment that comes with getting behind a trend which is why we’ve narrowed down the top retail trends you should follow for 2022.

The retail landscape is rapidly changing. Shoppers are becoming more demanding, expecting a seamless omnichannel experience that integrates the best of online and offline shopping.

The retail sphere has changed greatly over the last few decades, ranging from a greater reliance on technology to minimalist environments. They are the perfect canvas to push the retail game to the next level

Technology has taken the retail world by storm, offering businesses the opportunity to connect with consumers all around the world with a few clicks of a button.

Digital transformation simply explains the process of integrating digital technology into all of a business’ facets.

The retail store layout involves more than setting up merchandise and displaying products. Planning the retail store layout also provides an opportunity to maximize sales by focusing on the store design and customer flow.

There's no doubt that millennials have grown up in a very different environment than the previous generations. Millennials expect FMCG brands to be transparent and proactive about communicating their environmental efforts.

Every industry has its share of ethical issues, and the agricultural sector is no exception. These issues often become magnified when you're dealing with areas lacking specific resources or other necessary aspects of a thriving agricultural industry.

You walk into a store and are greeted with racks and racks of clothes, groceries, and other goods. You start to browse, and soon your basket has more than you intended to buy.

Consumer spending can be thought of as one cog in the wheel of an economy. The other important components are the production of goods and services and the distribution of said goods and services.

The one thing that we have consistently noticed as a consumer products consulting firm is how mismatched a company’s objectives and its social media marketing might be.

The FMCG sector is one of the most competitive industries in the world. To stay ahead of the curve, companies are always looking for ways to increase efficiencies and cut costs.

Retail pricing is a calculated process and various strategies exist to guide retailers on the optimal pricing structure.

Innovators, entrepreneurs, agricultural advisors, farm consultants, biomanufacturers and pharmaceutical researchers, among others are combining expertise to leverage space technologies for humanity’s future.

We live in a digital world. As technology develops, businesses are jumping on to digital trends and leveraging their benefits. Virtual events, in particular, are growing in prevalence.

Around the world, the news remains the same. Fuel prices are on the rise. The cost of food has risen so much that some people may struggle to keep pantries filled and stomachs full.

Stay ahead of the competition in the CPG industry. Learn about DTC prioritization, fast delivery, retailer brands, omni-channel shopping experiences, multi-channel marketing, sustainability, and self-care products

Leading the retail evolution demands constant adaptation and flexibility. Retail consumer trends are ever-changing, guided by customer behavior and consumption habits.

Growth equals success, and sustainable scaling plays an important role in reaching new business milestones.

Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine has had far-reaching implications, affecting lives and businesses beyond the border of conflict.

Retail shops have been around for centuries, but with emerging technologies, it's not always easy to keep up with the latest trends.

The number of property sales in the virtual world has been in the spotlight, with record million-dollar transactions reported every week.

Every business professional should have their eyes on young and upcoming entrepreneurs and influencers.

Here are some statistics, trends, and strategies for fashion e-commerce companies to use in 2022 to take their sales and marketing efforts to new levels of success.

In a world where people can buy anything from food, clothes, and autos online, now there is a shift towards retail real estate in a world that doesn’t even exist.

Tactics to improve collaboration between CPG companies and retailers. Joint planning, category management, trade promotions, in-store compliance, order management, and metrics & measurement are the key strategies.

Companies adjusted to the new way of working and by staying connected with workers at home, and e-commerce took off due to brick-and-mortar stores slowing down and seeing less traffic because of restrictions as people rode out waves of the pandemic.

In 2021, retail eCommerce sales went up to approximately 5 trillion U.S dollars worldwide, and growth is expected to continue over the next 4 years.

The Metaverse is an internet-based digital experience that immerses users in a three-dimensional world.

Firebase is a Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS), built on Google's architecture, that is used for application and website development.

The past two years have impacted consumer habits so drastically that many retailers have had to rebuild their models from the ground up.

Building brand loyalty, introducing innovative products, and following consumer behavior trends are essential for retail brands to succeed.

As the globe marks two years since the pandemic, the luxury consumer goods business continues to change. New generation of luxury players are now giving affluent consumers a variety of products and services based on cutting-edge technology as AI or AR.

Blockchain has been a buzzword for quite some time. Most people correlate it with Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies.

The food and beverage industry is constantly evolving due to many factors. While this is happening to meet the requirements and demands of modern-day consumers.

Yet with each passing year, we slowly begin to understand what the metaverse will be as well as the aspects of our current culture that already reflect its growing influence.

One of the biggest news to come out of 2021 is Facebook’s recent decision to transform its parent company into one that embodies its new vision, Meta.

In 2022, there'll be a lot of changes related to the workplace. One of those changes is culture. This article will explore what makes 2022 the year of workplace culture and how it will affect people's lives for years to come.

Ecommerce today is no longer an option, but a necessity. If you are an organization looking to expand and grow, adding eCommerce to your business model is crucial.

When done correctly, in-store elements convey your brand voice and values. The tough competition today means that retailers must strive to stand out amongst peers.

It’s surprising to envision how different the experience of shopping is now compared to that which our parents and their parents had before.

The metaverse is here to change our world. It brings with it a new way of interacting with each other and our surroundings - it’s a new category of human experience.

The metaverse breaks through physical limitations by creating virtual constructs. In the retail space, the metaverse offers great value for customers and retail outlets alike.

Nowadays, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) firms are defining their progress via steady expansion and the use of new technology to meet customer needs, with many well-known brands continuously working on expanding their portfolios and capabilities.

One of the most critical aspects of the retail business is providing customers with a satisfying and seamless shopping experience.

Today's society is experiencing tremendous transformation thanks to globalization and digitalization. These changes are, in turn, changing specific customer needs and requirements, especially for the mass market and distribution industry.

Advancements in technology and consumer research have equipped retailers with incredible access to consumer data.

Over the past 50 years, diversifying the economy away from reliance on oil and gas was at the heart of the UAE’s development strategy.

Businesses today are always looking for new and innovative ways to market their products and services.

If you’re running your own farm, then it’s likely that you’ve already put quite a bit of thought into the best possible livestock feeding strategies.

In line with continuous industry growth for the foreseeable future and the latest advancements in Agtech, Agribusinesses around the world, and especially the one using traditional approaches are still facing unprecedented challenges.

Technology is fundamental for innovation, opening doors to progress and development. Thanks to technology, countries around the world are pushing the realm of what is possible.

As for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the cosmetics market is set for unprecedented growth, with the sector projected to exceed USD 3 billion by 2025.

The pandemic has shifted the way that many industries have evolved, encouraging a greater focus on technology. Being directly implicated by COVID-19, pharmaceutical healthcare is one of the industries most profoundly impacted.

To take advantage of this tourism upswing, UAE hospitality and leisure companies need support from a talented and committed workforce that can deliver memorable experiences to guests.

Working collaboratively with brands, retailers, and landlords, from concept to execution, as well as design and supervision. Explore the trends affecting the future of business and society with newest insights, ideas, and perspectives.

Biotechnology is one of the most fascinating and fastest-growing industries in the Middle East. For scientists, inventors, regulators, and consulting businesses, among others, it really is an interesting field to be in.

All participants in the sector should be aware of new trends and think about how they incorporate them into their own businesses while keeping the customer in mind. As food and beverage consultants, we've compiled a list of 22 trends to keep an eye on.

Agtech developments are influencing the future of agriculture throughout the world, particularly in the Middle East, where imports are heavily dependant, and Africa, where agriculture is heavily depended.

The desire to delight visitors and tourists in hotels and restaurants has shown to be quite appealing to tourists all around the world. The primary trends changing the hotel and leisure business include Internet penetration, innovations, and AI.

As the globe adapts to the epidemic, the business landscape is continuously altering. The retail business, has faced unique obstacles that necessitate innovation. To fulfil client demands, retailers have been driven to adopt new technology and methods.

Are you prepared to deal with the unexpected in 2021 if uncertainty persists? Are you ready to compete and get momentum in a business climate that has shrunk, where everyone wants a piece of the same pie and preparing to battle aggressively in 2021?

In the midst of major shifts in consumer habits and market perception, coupled with the continuing Covid-19 impact on the business environment, companies in the Middle East must revisit their value propositions and competitive advantages.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates top the GCC in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain expenditure. AI is expected to account for roughly 13% of Saudi Arabia's and the UAE's GDP by 2030.

In Saudi Arabia and the UAE, e-commerce is predicted to expand by at least USD 4 Bln in 2020 and 2021. While e-commerce will have a distinct place in the MENA retail industry in 2020, its impact on traditional brick-and-mortar stores will be significant.

While the Covid-19 impacted primary healthcare, telemedicine has played a critical role in delivering healthcare and preventing viral transmission. In the next five years, the MENA telemedicine industry is predicted to more than double in size.

The MENA hospitality and leisure industry is projected to take at least a year to recover to pre-Covid-19 business levels. Major tourist attractions are reopening for visitors, while adopting new technologies and approaches to improve customer experience.

Historically, nations in the (MENA) used to import large amounts of agricultural products and animals. This is changing as nations increase local production to improve food security and move toward self-sufficiency.

What factors influence the effectiveness of Digital Transformation efforts and their rollout across the organisation? Here are nine crucial characteristics that will help it succeed. The role of technology in digital transformation cannot be overstated.