RCM26Day 1 · 5 October 2026 · Keynote
Dubai's Retail and Tourism Agenda: The View from the City
Three takeaways
- 01Mohammed Feras Arayqat said the Dubai Retail Calendar, launched in 2017, marks its tenth year, now a year-round programme spanning Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Summer Surprises and the newly added Dubai K Fest 2026.
- 02Two campaigns launched this year: Win Your Home in Dubai gave away twelve homes over three months during Dubai Summer Surprises, and Proud of UAE united brands, malls and communities behind a national moment.
- 03Work with the city, not alongside it: Arayqat asked retailers, brands and technology partners to innovate continuously around consumer needs and to build partnerships and propositions that benefit both shoppers and the retail sector.
About the session
Dubai's retail sector and its tourism economy have grown together for two decades, and the city's agenda for both will shape how owners plan, lease and programme their assets. Mohammed Feras Arayqat, Vice President, Retail Calendar and Promotions of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, sets out the city's view: the visitor and resident demand it is building for, the calendar and campaigns that carry it into the malls, and what Dubai wants from retail in the years ahead.
“Our model thrives when both the government and the private sector move in concert.”
From the room
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