How Retail Has Evolved in The GCC (feat. Umesh Agarwal)

Technology for technology's sake doesn't win. The winners are the ones who use it to solve real customer problems. Umesh Agarwal joins Michael to break down how the GCC retail and mall sector evolved over 25 years, and what actually survives the hype. In this episode: • The four phases of GCC retail evolution • Why GCC malls flipped from space-driven to customer-driven • What separates GCC malls from North America, Europe, and Asia • The overhyped trends versus the underestimated ones • The "intelligent experience era" and how AI shapes forecasting, personalization, footfall analytics, and mall operations ABOUT OUR GUEST: Umesh Agarwal is an architect-turned-retail leader with over 20 years in the GCC market, having landed in Dubai in 2007. As Head of Retail Store Expansion & Development at Xiaomi Technology, he spans everything from store design and leasing to merchandising, strategy, and expansion. 💰 Download our Mall Revenue Engine guide 💰 https://hubs.li/Q04v_Pst0 LINKS & RESOURCES: 🤝 Connect with Michael on LinkedIn:   / michaelpasket   📅 Book time with Michael: https://hubs.li/Q04v_NVn0 🔗 Learn more about Mappedin: https://hubs.li/Q04v_N-W0 #MallTalkers #GCCRetail #MallStrategy #RetailRealEstate #ShoppingCenters #IndoorMapping