The MENA region recently witnessed a convergence of industry titans at the Uaerg Food Service Forum and Images RetailME Food Business Forum, held at the JW Marriott Hotel Marina in Dubai. These events aimed to explore novel prospects and foster innovation within the Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering (HoReCa) and Food and Grocery Retail sectors.

The forums were a significant success, attracting over 400 attendees, 100 speakers, and featuring 20 informative sessions. Recognizing the crucial role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the food business landscape, Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Noon, emphasized the secure and supportive environment for industry growth under the country's leadership. He highlighted that SMEs constitute approximately 70 percent of the 30,000 food outlets in Dubai, forming the backbone of the economy and called for greater support for local, home-grown brands.

Amitabh Taneja, Editor in Chief of Images Retail ME, noted the remarkable projected growth of the UAE’s food service market at a CAGR of 17.09%, potentially reaching $43.98 billion by 2029. He stressed the critical role of the food business within the overall retail ecosystem, anticipating the Food & Grocery retail business in MENA to touch $216.3 billion by 2026. Taneja stated that the forums aimed to create a platform for industry innovation, collaboration, and nurturing best practices for success.

Industry leaders like Panchali Mahendra, CEO of Atelier House, discussed enhancing customer experience by balancing technology with a human touch. George Kunnappally, Managing Director of Nandos-UAE, emphasized the selective implementation of technology.

Leaders from the food and grocery industry explored trends dominating the MENA region and strategies to navigate the evolving grocery landscape. Muhammad Adeel Anjum, CEO of Circle K Arabia, highlighted the sector's transformation with a focus on technology and consumer convenience. Mohamed Al Hashemi, Chief Executive Officer of Union Coop, underscored the importance of sustainability and local sourcing, aiming to lead in providing high-quality, locally-sourced products.

Discussions at the Images RetailME Food Business Forum included the role of technology and artificial intelligence in business growth, online grocery expansion, evolving customer preferences, and warehouse automation. Amit Nayak, Vice Chairman of UAE Restaurants Group and Vice President of HAMA MEA, spoke about the hospitality sector's robust recovery post-COVID-19, projecting growth to $10 billion by 2029.

Panels spotlighted healthy habits, with leaders and chefs emphasizing the integration of health-conscious options to meet growing demand. The power of homegrown brands and the fusion of local and global flavors were key discussion points. Osamah Alawwam, Co-founder of Roasting House, and Louay Moursel, Regional Director of Operations at Gastronomica, highlighted the importance of local preferences and quality to create unique dining experiences.

Dr. Sadeddine Mneimne, Chairman of Access Group International (AGI) Holding, praised the forum’s dedication to growth through community involvement and governmental collaborations. Sadique Ahmed, CEO of Pathfinder and Founder of RetailGPT, noted the significant interest in AI within the industry, underscoring the value of their partnership.

A key highlight was the debut edition of the Images Golden Spoon Awards Powered by Allezz and the Food Service Awards by RetailME, recognizing excellence in the food and grocery and food service industries.

These forums represent pivotal moments for collaboration and innovation within the MENA food industry, driving sustainable growth and transformation.