Arabian Centres, a major developer, owner and operator of shopping malls in Saudi Arabia, Sunday launched a campaign to promote the Kingdom as a prime market for organic growth for international retailers seeking to enter or expand into the Middle East.
Launched at Mapic, the annual international retail property market conference in Cannes, the KSA Advantage will provide an umbrella for a series of events, materials and discussions in the coming 12 months.
Announcing the campaign at the MAPIC conference in Cannes, Simon Wilcock, CEO of Arabian Centres, said: “The KSA Advantage is a call to action for international retailers who want to expand into one of the highest growth retail markets not just in the Middle East, but anywhere in the world today. We have launched the campaign at Mapic to raise the debate on why Saudi Arabia should be part of every international retailer’s growth plans.”
Saudi Arabia is the Middle East’s wealthiest economy at $746.2 billion, and the region’s largest retail market, with sales of listed retailers — a proxy for industry growth — rising 12 percent in 2014. Overall consumer spending leapt 18 percent year-on-year in August.
Saudi Arabia plays host to a vast, young population, with a propensity to spend. Around two-thirds of its 30 million residents are under the age of 30 — and the population is swelling by 2 percent a year. The result is one of the world’s youngest and fastest-growing consumer bases.
The company is part of Fawaz Alhokair Group, described as one of the most respected businesses in Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom’s largest retailer.
Arabian Centres currently operates 17 retail properties across 10 cities in the Kingdom, representing about 10 percent of Saudi Arabia’s organized gross leasable area, and is set to double its portfolio to nearly 2 million sqm.
Arabian Centres launches Saudi Advantage for world retailers
Arabian Centres launches Saudi Advantage for world retailers
ALJ Motors champions Toyota SUVs’ off-road legacy
Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, the authorized distributor of Toyota vehicles in Saudi Arabia since 1955, has launched the second edition of its off-road initiative — an immersive driving experience designed to engage guests and showcase the real-world capabilities of Toyota’s SUV lineup in the Kingdom’s desert terrains. The activation takes place on weekends, starting initially in Riyadh and continuing through Jeddah, before concluding in Dammam on Jan. 24.
The multi-city activation is designed to engage guests through Toyota’s SUV lineup in fun and exciting ways, offering a hands-on opportunity to experience vehicle performance, control, and versatility. The lineup features a wide range of Toyota SUV models, including the Land Cruiser HEV Max, a hybrid vehicle built for performance. Beyond the off-road drives, the activation offers a welcoming weekend setting with supporting activities suitable for families and younger guests, creating a well-rounded experience for visitors of all ages.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, which welcomed more than 4,500 participants and attracted over 10,000 attendees, the second edition continues to focus on meaningful guest engagement through interactive and experiential driving activities while emphasizing safety, trust, and enjoyment. Through this approach, ALJ Motors champions Toyota’s off-road legacy while creating an experience that further connects guests with Toyota’s renowned SUV lineup.
Shahad Nassier, managing director of marketing communications at ALJ Motors, said: “Following the strong response to the inaugural season, the return of this off-road experience allows us to continue engaging our guests in an authentic and exciting way. In this second edition, we have further refined the driving routes and elevated the overall experience to better serve our guests and their families. By bringing Toyota’s SUV lineup into real desert environments, we provide an opportunity for guests to experience vehicle performance firsthand, while reinforcing the values of reliability and capability that have long defined Toyota’s presence in the Kingdom.”
The experiential initiative deepens guest relationships, supports informed vehicle choice, and reflects ALJ Motors’ ongoing role in delivering reliable and diversified mobility solutions across the Kingdom, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Guests interested in participating in the off-road experience can register for the upcoming activations in Jeddah on Jan. 9-10, followed by Dammam on Jan. 16-17 and 23-24, through ALJ Motors’ official social channels.
