RetailME unveils ‘Vision & Views’

Images RetailME, part of Dubai-based Images Multimedia, unveiled a special edition coffee table book ‘Vision & Views’ on day one at its fourth annual Middle East Retail Forum (MRF) 2015, which took place on October 27 & 28 at Conrad Hotel, Dubai.

The inaugural edition of Vision & Views chronicles stories of successes and struggles of 30 retail stalwarts in the region. Collated, the stories archive the history of the growth and development of trade and retail in this part of the world with their snapshots of the evolving times.

Most of them started small, with a single store mostly in the souks, and went on to build trading empires. Their stories, supplemented by the constant infusion of new ideas and innovation in every succeeding generation, form an interesting and educative textbook for the retail trade, the common thread being: “If you have a dream, chase it till it becomes reality.”

The 30 retail leaders featured in Vision & Views include:

• Colm McLoughlin – executive vice chairman of Dubai Duty Free and chairman of the Dubai Duty Free Foundation
• Laila Mohammad Suhail – CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment
• Yusuffali MA – managing director, Lulu Group International
• Patrick Chalhoub – co-CEO, Chalhoub Group
• Abdul Majeed Alhokair – president retail – Fawaz A Alhokair & Co
• Mohammed Jassim Khalid Al Marzouq – chairman, Tamdeen Group
• Tony Jashanmal – executive director and a member of the board of directors, Jashanmal Group
• Wassim Daher – chairman, Azadea Group
• Faisal Hasan Jawad – chairman and CEO, Jawad Business Group
• Lal Ganwani – founder and chairman, Lals Group
• Vashu Shroff – chairman, Regal Group
• Ram Buxani – chairman, International Traders Ltd
• Abdul Jabbar Al Sayegh – group chairman, Al Sayegh Group
• Nizar Choucair – founder, Patchi
• Pankaj Khimji – director, Khimji Ramdas Group
• Amiruddin Ajmal – CEO, Ajmal Perfumes
• Joy Alukkas – founder, Joyalukkas Group
• Jacky Panjabi – co-founder and group managing director, Jacky’s Group of Companies
• Kamal Osman Jamjoom – chairman, Kamal Osman Jamjoom Group
• Khurshid Vakil – co-founder and executive director, Marina Home Interiors
• Fahad Al-Othaim – president, Al-Othaim Holding
• Thomas Lundgren – founder & CEO, THE One
• Nisreen Shocair – president, Virgin Megastore Middle East
• Ronaldo Mouchawar – CEO and co-founder, Souq.com
• Mohammed Khammas – visionary leader and CEO, Al Ahli Holding Group
• Mona Ataya – founder and CEO, Mumzworld.com
• Avinash Bal – chairman and CEO, Hotbrands International
• Abdul Mohsen Behbehani – director, Morad Yousuf Behbehani Group
• Aysha Butti Al Muhairi – founder and CEO, Wrapt
• Shamlal Ahamed MP – managing director, international operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds

Among the stalwarts featured in Vision & Views, Vasu Shroff, Ram Buxani, Jacky Panjabi, Nisreen Shocair, Khurshid Vakil, Mona Ataya and Abdul Mohsen Behbehani took special pride in unveiling the book on stage along with Images Group chairman and managing director Amitabh Taneja and authors Lawrence Pinto and Rupkatha Bhowmick.