Page 43 - #202 October 2025
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Pulse Wadi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, HE MIDDLE EAST and North
Spotlight On Designers, LWK + PARTNERS T long been recognised as a
Africa (MENA) region has
dynamic hub bridging East and
West, marked by rapid urban-
isation, ambitious economic
diversification strategies and a
young, tech-savvy population.
Over the past two decades, it has
undergone a profound trans-
Where Lifestyle formation, with cities such as
Dubai, Riyadh, Doha and Cairo
emerging as global centres of
Meets Retail commerce, culture and inno-
vation. This energy has created
fertile ground for the evolution
of the retail real estate market, a
From ultra-modern malls to lifestyle-driven mixed- sector that not only reflects con-
sumer demand but also plays a
use destinations, retail real estate projects across central role in shaping lifestyles
the MENA region are reshaping the way people and cityscapes.
Retail in the MENA region has
shop, dine and socialise. As global brands expand moved far beyond traditional
and local developers innovate, these new spaces shopping malls. Today, the focus
are redefining retail as an experience, not just a is on mixed-use developments
that seamlessly blend retail,
transaction. Over the coming pages we delve into the leisure, hospitality and entertain-
new wave of projects sweeping across the territory. ment. These projects are designed
not only to serve as commercial
hubs but also as lifestyle desti-
nations, offering experiences
that resonate with both resi-
dents and international visitors.
From luxury fashion districts
and waterfront promenades to
futuristic mega-malls and com-
munity-centric shopping centres,
retail real estate projects are rede -
fining the way people engage with
urban spaces.
The sector is being driven by
several converging forces. Gov-
ernments across the region are
prioritising diversification away
from oil, with retail and tourism
positioned as strategic pillars of
growth. International brands
are expanding their presence,
eager to tap into a young demo-
graphic with high purchasing
power and a growing appetite
for global trends. At the same
time, local developers are intro-
ducing innovative concepts that
blend tradition with modernity,
catering to evolving consumer
expectations.
As the retail landscape contin-
ues to shift, MENA’s real estate
projects stand as a testament to
the region’s ambition: to create
world-class destinations that
combine commerce with culture,
shopping with experience and
architecture with identity.
42 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL OCTOBER 2025
