Riyadh’s retail reality

In this episode of The I.A.D.S. Retail Park 🎧, Maya welcomes Selvane to unpack the untold story of Riyadh’s retail revolution—and why department stores are missing out on a market worth $270 billion and counting. 🏙️🛍️ Step inside the Saudi mall boom as our hosts walk through time-capsule classics like Olaya, entertainment giants like Panorama, and the ultra-luxury labyrinth of VIA Riyadh. But where are the department stores in all this action? Maya and Selvane break down the field report—revealing why Harvey Nichols and Al Rubaiyat feel stuck on defense, and what it will take for department stores to carve out a winning formula in the Kingdom. Expect candid stories from the ground: empty showrooms, eager shoppers, and what happens when malls trade focus for flash. Is this market waiting for retail’s next big reinvention? Or is the department store era running out of time in Riyadh? 🚗🌐 👉 Tap here to unlock the full Exclusive for expert strategy🔗, field notes, and the full Riyadh mall photo gallery📸 ! For more updates, follow us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores – I.A.D.S., subscribe to our Substack for weekly signals shaping the future of retail, or explore www.iads.org for fresh resources and game-changing research! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit iads.substack.com/subscribe