South African e-commerce app, Reka online marketplace, is set to revolutionize the online retail experience as Africa’s first Augmented Reality (AR) online shopping platform for fashion and furniture brands.
Research & Knowledge functions are crucial within a consulting business model and with their growing footprint internationally, strategy consulting firms are placing much thought into how they are organizing these functions within their organization.
In 2020, the apparel and footwear category had the highest share of 33 percent ($1.3bn) in the UAE retail e-commerce market. The UAE retail e-commerce market reached $3.9bn in 2020, a 53 percent year-on-year increase. Also, e-commerce accounted for an 8 percent share of the retail market during the same year, analysis from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has revealed.
Floward, the go-to online flowers and gifts delivery destination in the MENA region launched its services in Cairo, Egypt on August 1st, making it its 8th country and 22nd city to launch in.
The opening of the store, which is Primark’s 396th worldwide, marks its venture into its 14th market as it seeks to target growth in central and eastern Europe. Primark has opened stores in both Poland and Slovenia over the past two years and is set to open further Polish and Czech stores, as well as a debut Slovakian store in 2022.
Saudi grocery retailer BinDawood is planning to expand throughout the Kingdom after recording its highest profit margin ever, CEO Ahmad A.R. BinDawood told financial news outlet Argaam in a phone call.
Europe’s biggest shoe retailer Deichmann is looking to expand its UK footprint and believes it could double its estate of 109 stores as it takes aim to become the market leader in “family footwear”.
Dairy giant, Danone, has signed a partnership with The UN-Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) with the aim to improve nutrition, agriculture practices and food safety across Egypt for more sustainable food systems. The partnership is meant to raise awareness and encourage better eating habits in Egypt through various measures, such as sharing data on food consumption and nutritional intakes.
Coca-Cola Israel (The Central Bottling Company – CBC) and Israeli food-tech company BioMilk have signed a strategic investment term sheet, which will see CBC invest up to $2 million in the development of BioMilk’s cultured milk products. As part of the deal, BioMilk will transfer its products to Tara Dairy, which is owned by CBC, for a “pilot commercial production”.
The UAE and Bahrain will be removed from the UK's travel red list (red, amber & green lists for coronavirus rules), the British government announced on Wednesday night, providing a major boost to tourism and allowing families to be reunited. They will join other amber list countries, meaning that people entering most of the UK from these points of origin do not have to pay to quarantine in a government hotel for 10 days.
Research conducted by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) revealed that the Egyptian economy could face daily losses of more than EGP 31 million (USD 2 million) if it stays on the UK’s travel ‘red list’ as it deters UK travelers from visiting the country. According to pre-pandemic figures, UK visitors represented five percent of all international inbound arrivals in 2019. The UK was also the third biggest source market for Egypt, only just behind Germany and Saudi Arabia.
Tourism Ministry of KSA confirmed that starting August 1st 2021, they will lift the suspension on the entry of tourist visa holders. Fully vaccinated tourists can enter without having to undergo institutional quarantine, provided that they furnish an official vaccination certificate on arrival. They also need to present proof of a negative PCR test result. Saudi recognizes the Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines
KSA resumed allowing travelers from abroad to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. KSA announced a new easing of the restrictions imposed last year to prevent the spread of Covid-19 at the Islamic holy sites.
Qatar Airways becomes the first airline to trial COVID-19 vaccine authentication through the IATA Travel Pass ‘Digital Passport’ Mobile App. As more travelers return to the skies, the airline remains committed to reducing paperwork and providing a more contactless, secure and seamless travel experience for its passengers.
The AirlineRatings ‘Airline of the Year’ award acknowledges the best in aviation, with a focus on product innovation, good route network and overall safety. Qatar Airways has won Airline of the Year, Best Middle East Airline, Best Catering and Best Business Class.
Turkish Airlines, Emirates and others have stopped flight services to Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover of the capital Kabul and US military withdrawal.
Hampton by Hilton Marjan Island, the world’s largest Hampton by Hilton hotel, has opened in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE. The 515-key Hampton by Hilton Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah has a development value of AED 450 Million.
Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading curator of magnetic experiences, in partnership with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, announced significant progress on the construction of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, the next generation of marine life theme parks and Yas Island’s latest mega-development. Once complete, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will contain 25 million liters of water and will house more than 68,000 marine animals.
A Grand Hyatt hotel is set to be developed in the Holy City of Makkah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. the hotel project aims to boost tourism and create a pipeline in markets that matter most to guests in the country. The Kingdom’s plan is to attract more than 30 million tourists by 2030.
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