An evening where global retail leadership met Saudi Arabia’s rising influence in destination-driven growth
On February 3, senior figures from across the international retail and luxury ecosystem convened in Riyadh for the 2026 RLC Honors. Co-hosted by the RLC Global Forum and Hamat, the gathering brought together founders, executives, investors, and decision-makers to recognize two industry leaders whose careers have reshaped modern retail.
Held on the sidelines of the 2026 RLC Global Forum, the Honors extended beyond celebration. The evening underscored Saudi Arabia’s expanding role within the global retail conversation as the Kingdom advances its Vision 2030 agenda and accelerates investment in destination-led growth and diversified consumer markets.
More than an awards platform, the RLC Honors celebrate leadership built over decades — leaders who have shaped brands, influenced markets, and redefined industries.
This year’s recipients exemplified that standard.
MARCO BIZZARRI, former CEO of Gucci and now entrepreneur and investor, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Luxury Retail. Widely credited with reshaping Gucci’s modern identity, Bizzarri led the brand through a period of cultural and commercial reinvention, strengthening its global relevance and long-term equity.
INGIE CHALHOUB, Founder and President of the Etoile Group, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Pioneering Women’s Leadership in Retail. A driving force in the evolution of luxury retail across the Middle East, Chalhoub has built a regional platform that continues to influence consumption patterns while championing female leadership within the sector.
For Hamat, one of Saudi Arabia’s leading retail destination developers and operators, the evening reflected a broader commitment: positioning the Kingdom not only as a growth market, but as a global platform for dialogue, exchange, and long-term value creation.
As retail enters a new era where resilience, relevance, and disciplined scale define success, gatherings such as the RLC Honors signal something larger — the shift of industry gravity toward markets prepared to lead.
And Riyadh is clearly one of them.
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