What: The IADS was present at the inaugural Retail Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, held January 27-29, 2025. This edition brought together 400 delegates from 29 countries and featured 63 speakers (98% C-suite) to discuss the evolving retail landscape.

Why it is important: The summit was significant because it highlighted the booming Saudi market, driven by a young, digitally engaged, and increasingly female population with high disposable income. Key discussions centered around navigating nationalisation, omnichannel strategies, VAT implications, and the rise of Asian e-commerce platforms. Additionally, luxury retail evolution was addressed, focusing on challenges in the Chinese market, "creativity flattening," and the need to reconnect with aspirational customers. The emphasis on customer experience emphasized the importance of authentic human connection, purpose-driven approaches, and the power of storytelling.

The Retail Summit 2025 provided invaluable insights into both the opportunities and complexities within the KSA market and the broader retail industry. This report offers a curated selection of the most relevant takeaways for our members.

The Retail Summit 2025 IADS report