The Covid-19 pandemic had required an online presence for most retailers. Be it education, hospitality, health, or BFSI services, going digital was the only way to survive in a world where people were afraid to step out. However, as the pandemic’s grip loosened, schools reopened and so did markets. Many companies like Nykaa, Byju’s, and Pepperfry, which started out as online ventures, have slowly opened physical stores.

When we asked a Hyderabad-based startup, Subba Fashions, about why they opened a physical boutique after the pandemic, its founder, Keerthi Muddu, said, “People still like to touch and feel the products they are buying, especially clothes. We did not plan to open an offline store two years ago, but we noticed that shoppers are going back to the markets. That is why we felt that a physical shop was necessary.” Did opening the boutique drive up their sales? “No,” replied Keerthi. “The

Abdo Chlala, GCC Director for Amazon MENA said that the outlook for ecommerce is that it will continue to become a source of growth in retail in Saudi Arabia, and across the wider Middle East and North Africa region.

1. What are the most important features of Prime Day for customers in Saudi Arabia?

Amazon’s annual Prime Day event is back this year on July 23 and 24, offering Prime members on Amazon.sa two days of epic deals across every category. Prime members will be able to shop more deals than ever this year during Prime Day, with thousands of incredible savings to be enjoyed across top brands in categories such as electronics, fashion, beauty, kitchen, home, Amazon Devices, and more.

During the shopping event, Prime members will be able to shop incredible offers across items from both local and international brands such as Samsung, Bose, Pampers, DeLonghi, LEGO, Bosch,

Mall of the Emirates has launched a brand-new drop and shop service called, Yehhal Zeman Awwal, within its Emirati cultural hub, Zeman Awwal. The service is open from Monday to Sunday between 1pm – 10pm.

The service is at shoppers and families visiting Zeman Awwal this summer.

Located on Level 2 Fashion Dome, next to Armani Café, Zeman Awwal is spread across 1,100 square meters and dedicated to promoting the UAE’s heritage. It has art exhibitions that highlight the work of talented Emirati artists., spaces that explore the UAE’s past 50 years, a traditional Emirati souk, and a first-of-its-kind film experience with Majlis Cinema – a boutique movie-watching experience dedicated to Emirati films.

The space also presents a ‘UAE’ costume exhibit in collaboration with The Zay Initiative, pop-art pieces from local and international artists and installations inspired by the ocean and desert. It also has a brand-new market which features

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“African fashion is not a trend,” says Aisha Ayensu, founder and creative director of Christie Brown, who launched her label in Accra, Ghana back in 2008 mixing traditional prints such as wax print and batiks into modern voluminous sleeve tops and corset dresses. “It was never a trend for us; we have been doing this for years.”

Christie Brown is among 45 brands and designers hoping to play a role in setting and shifting the narrative around African fashion as part of a new exhibition at Britain’s Victoria and Albert Museum, the powerful UK arts and culture institution. From a traditional silk Kente engagement dress designed by Ghanaian fashion designer Kofi Ansah; to Rwandan brand Moshions, which used wool and viscose to create modern interpretations of ceremonial attire, traditionally worn by royalty, the exhibition looks at African fashion dating back