Major French retailer FNAC will address regional retail professionals regarding the current issues facing global retailers at the inaugural Retail City Conference. The ground-breaking event being launched by the organisers of Cityscape, is an international retail real estate conference and exhibition, due to take place at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC) from 4-6 June 2006.
Retail City Group Conference Director, Shabnam Rawal commented, “FNAC do not have a physical presence in the region. Our research has shown that regional retail development specialists are keen to learn first-hand about the issues facing global retailers such as FNAC and their observations on and recommendations for Middle East retail dynamics.”
A subsidiary company of the PPR Group, FNAC is a leader in the distribution of books, CD/DVDs, IT peripherals, videos and photographs. Established in France in 1954, FNAC pioneered a unique concept, by proposing a single retail space for its diverse product range at affordable prices. In 1982 FNAC was also the first retailer to offer CDs and video CDs and now boasts 68 stores throughout France with outlets in 56 cities. An aggressive expansion strategy throughout Europe has enabled FNAC to develop over 40 stores in Belgium, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland and Greece. In 2005, FNAC achieved sales turnover of 4.38 million Euros, consolidating its position as one of the top twenty French retail companies.
Retail City conference will address key issues on ‘How investors can accommodate retailer demands and how is this going to impact investment performance in the longer term. Peter Walichnowski, CEO of Skylan Properties will address the rapidly changing retail landscape and the subtle differences between branding and marketing to both local and international consumers, something all regional retailers will need to master. Amitabh Taneja, Director, ICSC-India will talk about India’s Retail market covering today’s opportunities and tomorrow’s projections. John Hadden of Alshaya will explore the contentious issue facing the retail industry - the inability of new Middle East Shopping Centres to open on time and with full occupancy.
“To sustain the present growth in retail developments, the region has to attract global retailers. To remain competitive and improve profitability, global retailers need to expand into new markets. This conference will be an ideal forum for both global retailers and regional and international developers to gain new perspectives on the retail sector throughout the Middle East,” added Marie-Hélène Couture, Conference Manager of Retail City
Other key conference sessions will include, retail developments around the globe and the trends already evident throughout the region. Including presentations on retail investment strategies towards mixed use developments and what the region has to offer international retailers?
For more information on this event, please log on to: www.retailcity.ae
