Show notes
In this episode, recorded at MAPIC in Cannes, we sit down with Shane Eldstrom, CEO of United Developers, the company behind Place Vendôme in Qatar – a project that has already become the #3 shopping centre for high-end fashion in the entire Middle East, just a few years after opening.Shane breaks down what makes Qatar’s retail market so distinctive, how Place Vendôme has scaled from opening to regional leader, and what international brands need to know before entering the Middle East.🌐 Visit Retail News.AI, your premium destination for the most relevant, cutting-edge information in the retail sector: https://retailnews.ai/💬 Which of these trends do you think will shape the future of retail the most — and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!--------Welcome to the official channel of THE RETAIL PODCAST, the leading community for global retail leaders, innovators, and changemakers.*If you are struggling to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry, looking for insights from major conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, and EuroCIS, or aiming to connect your digital funnels to physical events with measurable ROI, this channel is designed for you.➡️ Hosted by Alex Rezvan and joined by some of the most respected voices in the sector, The Retail Podcast brings sharp, actionable insights from industry veterans with backgrounds at Microsoft and Verizon, where projects worth over $1.5 billion were directed. Our mission is to help retailers and businesses that sell to retailers anticipate change, embrace technology, and unlock new growth opportunities.Here you will discover exclusive interviews with executives and innovators, coverage of global retail conferences, analysis of technology and AI trends, in-depth explorations of fashion, grocery, luxury, and eCommerce, and thought leadership that keeps your strategy relevant all year long. As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, this channel does more than report the news—it shapes the conversation on the future of retail.*Subscribe now and activate notifications so you never miss the strategies, stories, and signals defining tomorrow’s retail.*--------📲 Follow us on LinkedIn to stay connected with daily retail insights and industry updates.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-retail-podcast/📩 Contact us at: [email protected]🔗 References:--------⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Cold open: Place Vendôme hits top 3 for luxury in the Middle East00:19 – Welcome from MAPIC Cannes & intro to Shane Eldstrom00:44 – Who are United Developers & what is Place Vendôme, Qatar?01:11 – Why MAPIC? Learnings, innovation & global retail connections01:41 – Is the Middle East one market? Busting the “single region” myth01:59 – Qatar’s demographics, Doha, and World Cup–driven infrastructure02:25 – Local luxury demand and what makes Qatar’s shoppers unique02:42 – Opening on 15 April 2022 & Place Vendôme’s growth story02:59 – Thinking of entering Qatar? What retailers should consider03:35 – New ownership laws & direct entry for international brands03:56 – The future of retail at Place Vendôme: service, authenticity, sustainability04:35 – VIP lounge, social-media-powered styling & curated experiences05:12 – Where to find more info on United Developers & Place Vendôme--------#TheRetailPodcast #PlaceVendome #Qatar #RetailRealEstate #MAPIC #FashionTrustArabia #LuxuryRetail #MENA