The Middle East Council of Shopping Centres & Retailers (MECS+R) proudly hosted its first-ever Retail Congress MENA in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 4-5, making a resounding impact on the MENA retail landscape. Bringing together industry giants, thought leaders, and key stakeholders, the congress unfolded in the prestigious Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Hotel, under the inspiring theme “GENESIS – IGNITE: The Genesis of Vision 2030, Reigniting Retail.”

This historic debut in Saudi Arabia set the stage for engaging dialogue on the country’s vision for 2030, addressing the sector’s role in national growth through transformative, sustainable, and customer-centered strategies. From dynamic discussions led by John Sanei, renowned futures strategist, to tech-driven insights from Veemal Gungadin, CEO of Gevme, the congress tackled key themes around strategic execution, technology integration, and leadership in a rapidly evolving market.