UAE, S.Arabia to drive expansion of GCC retail industry

Alpen Capital’s latest retail sector report for the GCC projects the industry to witness growth at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6 per cent between 2023 – 2028, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia leading the region’s growth at CAGRs of 5.4 percent and 5.1 per cent, respectively.             

The UAE-based investment banking advisory firm, Alpen Capital, launched its latest report on the GCC Retail Industry. The comprehensive report features in-depth analysis and forecasts for the retail sector, examining recent trends, growth drivers and challenges facing this dynamic segment. Additionally, the report profiles select retail companies operating in the region.

“The long-term prospects of the GCC retail industry continue to remain positive owing to economic growth, favorable demographics, relaxation of visa rules and liberalization policies. Furthermore, the ambitious agendas adopted by the GCC governments to diversity their economies are leading to significant advancements in the infrastructure and tourism sectors.

“This is expected to further enhance the value proposition of the region. As the industry continues to mature, several emerging trends such as Buy Now Pay Later, and evolving consumer preferences are reshaping the market dynamics. Amid the growing prominence of e-commerce, retailers are adopting dynamic business strategies to better meet consumer demands and widen market presence”, says Sameena Ahmad, Managing Director, Alpen Capital (ME) Limited.

“GCC retailers have increased their focus towards adopting and integrating technology to streamline operations and provide personalized offerings. Regardless of margin pressures, majority of them are investing in advanced digital solutions and creating omni-channel strategies to improve customer experience. As the regional retail landscape continues to evolve, larger e-commerce players are likely to acquire niche operators offering customized products and services while traditional players will continue to collaborate with digital platforms to reach out to a wider audience. As such, consolidation in the retail industry is expected to intensify as the pressure on companies to drive earnings and gain market share continues to mount in the face of rising competition”, says Hameed Noor Mohamed, Managing Director, Alpen Capital (ME) Limited.

According to Alpen Capital, retail sales in the GCC are projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.6 per cent to reach US$ 386.9 billion in 2028 from US$ 309.6 billion in 2023. This growth is expected to be supported by an increase in population, rise in per capita income and boost in tourism activities. E-commerce is expected to continue to play a critical role as several new players are gaining prominence, and there remains a scope for niche platforms to adopt innovative business models to make the GCC retail landscape more competitive.

Non-food retail sales are anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.3 per cent, while food retail sales are expected to rise at a pace of 5.0 per cent CAGR between 2023 and 2028 in the GCC.

Retail sales in the GCC nations are projected to grow in the range of 1.0 per cent and 5.4 percent CAGR between 2023 and 2028. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1 percent and 5.4 percent to reach US$ 161.4 billion and US$ 139.1 billion, respectively. Growth will be driven by its diverse and expanding population base, and vibrant infrastructure that makes them top international shopping destinations. These two nations are expected to cumulatively account for 77.7percent of the total GCC retail sales by 2028.

Retail sales in Kuwait and Bahrain are projected to witness a CAGR of 3.1percent each between 2023 to 2028, whereas Qatar and Oman are expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.2 percent and 1.0 percent, respectively.

Duty free sales at the airports in the GCC (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Bahrain) are expected to reach US$ 4.7 billion in 2028, growing at a CAGR of 9.3 percent between 2023 and 2028. This growth can be attributed to the anticipated rise in passenger traffic, largely driven by government initiatives to promote tourism.

At 80 percent completion of projected additions, 3.9 million sq. m. of retail space is likely to come up in the GCC between 2023 and 2028, taking the total organized retail GLA to 24.3 million sq. m. This is a modest growth scenario, wherein organized retail GLA is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 2.9 percent during the period.

As per the report, rising population, with a high concentration of expatriates and HNWIs, remains one of the primary factors for driving growth of the GCC retail industry. Anticipated pick up in the economic activity and improvement in per capita income is expected to further advance the appetite for global brands and luxury items.