Share what worked
Present a transformation, initiative or lesson that other retail people leaders can learn from.
Countdown to Dubai
20 April 2027
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Inaugural MENA edition · Call for speakers open
Dubai, UAE / 2027
Shaping the people agenda
behind retail’s next chapter
A two-day senior-level summit bringing together HR, People & Culture and retail business leaders from across the Middle East and North Africa to explore the future of frontline performance, leadership, talent, culture and workforce transformation.
20–21 APRIL 2027DUSIT THANI HOTEL
DUBAI, UAE
Partnership opportunities DUBAI, UAE
People. Leadership. Retail.
Regional perspectives.
Real organisational experience.
A shared people agenda.
Part of the Retail HR Summit Series
by Falcon Business Research
by Falcon Business Research
01 / The MENA edition
Retail’s future
starts with its people.
The MENA Retail HR Summit is a dedicated forum for the people leaders shaping retail across the Middle East and North Africa.
From the store floor to the leadership team, the summit will explore how workforce decisions influence performance, customer experience and sustainable growth.
Expect practical perspectives, candid peer discussion and ideas grounded in the realities of operating across diverse MENA markets.
02 / Call for speakers
Help shape
the first MENA edition.
We invite senior retail HR, People & Culture, Talent, Learning, Workforce and business leaders to contribute practical experience, challenge established thinking and help shape the inaugural MENA Retail HR Summit.
We welcome case studies, leadership perspectives and candid discussions grounded in real organisational experience.
Contribute to the regional agenda
Help shape conversations around the workforce and people priorities facing retailers across MENA.
Exchange with your peers
Contribute through a keynote, case study, executive panel or facilitated roundtable.
You do not need a completed presentation to express interest. Share your proposed topic or area of expertise and our programme team can discuss its fit with the summit.
03 / Programme directions
The conversations
that move retail forward.
Six featured discussion areas for the inaugural edition. These are programme directions; individual sessions and speakers will be announced as confirmed.
From people strategy to store performance
Connecting HR priorities with measurable operational outcomes.
The store manager advantage
Developing frontline leaders who strengthen teams, performance and customer experience.
Frontline retention beyond pay
Exploring scheduling, progression, recognition, culture and manager capability.
AI in retail HR: from pilots to practical value
Where AI is creating real value across recruitment, workforce planning, learning and employee experience.
National talent, lasting careers
Building sustainable recruitment, development and career pathways across MENA markets.
One brand, many markets
Building culture and employee experience across countries, workforce models and operating environments.
Have a different retail workforce challenge worth discussing?
We welcome original speaker proposals beyond these themes.
20 April 2027 / Day one
Strategy, leadership & frontline performance
Keynotes, case studies and peer discussions on the people priorities behind retail performance.
21 April 2027 / Day two
Workforce transformation & the next chapter
Practical perspectives on technology, talent pathways and culture across markets.
Indicative programme structure. The detailed two-day agenda will follow as contributions are confirmed.
04 / Who should speak & attend
A forum for the leaders
behind the workforce.
Retail at the core. Perspectives from FMCG, consumer brands, hospitality and other consumer-facing businesses enrich the conversation.
- Chief Human Resources Officers
- Chief People Officers
- HR Directors
- People & Culture Directors
- Talent Directors
- Learning & Development Leaders
- Organisational Development Leaders
- Employee Experience Leaders
- Workforce Planning Leaders
- Total Rewards Leaders
- Retail Operations Leaders
- Transformation Leaders
- Digital HR / HR Technology Leaders
RetailFMCGConsumer brandsHospitalityConsumer-facing businesses
05 / Part of the Retail HR Summit Series
Two regional summits.
One retail HR community.
The Retail HR Summit Series by Falcon Business Research connects senior people leaders through regional forums dedicated to the workforce, leadership and organisational priorities shaping the future of retail.
AFRICA EDITION01 / 2027
Africa Retail HR
Summit & Awards 2027
27–28 January 2027
Johannesburg, South Africa
MENA EDITION04 / 2027
MENA Retail HR
Summit 2027
20–21 April 2027
Dubai, UAE
Each edition has its own programme, speaker faculty and participation arrangements.
06 / Venue
A Dubai setting
for regional dialogue.
Dusit Thani Hotel
Bring fresh perspectives together in Dubai for two days focused on the people and leadership priorities shaping retail across MENA.
- When
- 20–21 April 2027
- Where
- Dusit Thani Hotel
Dubai, UAE
07 / Partnership opportunities
Connect through
meaningful contribution.
Engage senior HR, People & Culture and retail business leaders through a focused regional platform designed around meaningful content, peer exchange and executive networking.
Discuss partnership opportunities08 / Speaker application
Your experience.
The next conversation.
Tell us who you are and what you would like to contribute. Our programme team will review your proposal and discuss its fit with the inaugural MENA edition.
A topic or area of expertise is enough to begin. No headshot, long biography or completed presentation is needed.
events@fb-research.com ↗Organised by
Falcon Business Research™
Part of the Retail HR Summit Series
Falcon Business Research develops specialist executive conferences and leadership forums connecting senior decision-makers around emerging business priorities.
Explore Falcon Business Research ↗09 / Questions
Before you
join the conversation.
Who is the summit for?
Senior retail HR, People & Culture, talent, learning, workforce and business leaders across the Middle East and North Africa. Relevant perspectives from FMCG, consumer brands and hospitality are also welcome.
Do I need a finished presentation to apply?
No. Share a proposed topic or area of expertise and the programme team can discuss its fit with the summit.
Which participation formats are available?
You can express interest in a keynote or leadership address, case study, panel discussion or roundtable. You can also ask the programme team to recommend a format.
Are speakers already confirmed for MENA?
The call for speakers is open. Confirmed MENA contributors will be announced separately; participation in the Africa edition does not imply participation in MENA.
Where and when does the summit take place?
20–21 April 2027 at Dusit Thani Hotel, Dubai, UAE.
How can I attend as a delegate?
Contact events@fb-research.com or use the WhatsApp button to register delegate interest and ask about participation arrangements.
Can we partner across both editions?
Yes. Enquire about a MENA Edition Partnership, Africa Edition Partnership or Multi-Edition / Series Partnership. The team can discuss the most suitable approach.