Top retail brands driving GCC grocery growth. Views: 65 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-10-30 Origin: Site The Gulf's biggest retail names keep setting the pace for grocery retail. LuLu, Carrefour, Majid Al Futtaim and Landmark Group lead the market, opening stores across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Oman as demand climbs. The brands shaping Gulf retail. LuLu holds a leading share of GCC grocery retail and plans to open 50 new stores by 2028. Carrefour and Al Meera keep widening their footprints, while Nesto serves budget-conscious shoppers in secondary cities. Together they anchor a retail market heading toward record size. Fixtures behind the fast-growing leaders. As these brands grow, they need shelving, gondolas and displays that keep stores tidy and stock visible. SWFixture supplies supermarket shelving and retail display fixtures used across busy Gulf stores. Expanding in the GCC? Contact SWFixture today for retail display fixtures tailored to your market.

Spiro appoints Ram Ramanathan as Group CFO. African electric mobility company Spiro has appointed Ram Ramanathan as its new Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO), bringing three decades of international finance and general management experience to the company as it expands across Africa. Spiro announced the appointment on September 25, 2026, as the company continues to scale its electric motorcycle, battery-swapping and energy infrastructure operations across the continent. Ramanathan has previously held senior finance and leadership positions at IFFCO Group, Landmark Group and PepsiCo. His experience spans strategic and operational finance, mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, treasury, corporate governance and financial transformation. Spiro said he has worked across more than 90 countries, led 22 cross-border transactions and helped arrange more than $5 billion in equity and international debt financing. Ramanathan to lead Spiro's financial strategy. As Group CFO, Ramanathan will oversee Spiro's finance function and support the company's financial strategy as it expands its operations. Discover more Job postings Advertise services Compare Business Loans His responsibilities will include financial planning and performance, capital allocation, treasury, governance and financing. He will also support investments in Spiro's electric vehicles, battery-swapping network, manufacturing operations and energy infrastructure. "Ram brings a depth of financial and strategic leadership that will be highly valuable as Spiro continues to scale," Group CEO Anant Badjatya said. Badjatya said Ramanathan's experience in capital markets, M&A, treasury and financial transformation would strengthen Spiro's financial capabilities as the company expands across Africa. Ramanathan said his focus would include building the financial capabilities, governance structures and capital base required to support Spiro's next phase of growth. Appointment follows major financing. The CFO appointment comes after a series of financing deals aimed at supporting Spiro's expansion. In June, Spiro said it had closed its latest funding round at $270 million following a $55 million investment from Chinese growth-stage fund NewTrails Capital. Discover more Cryptocurrency investment guide Internet of Things Compare Exchange Rates The company said the financing would support the expansion of its battery-swapping network, industrial footprint and electric vehicle infrastructure across Africa. Earlier in February, Spiro secured $50 million in debt financing from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Nithio and the Africa Go Green Fund, managed by Cygnum Capital. At the time, Spiro said it had deployed more than 80,000 electric motorcycles and operated more than 2,500 battery-swapping stations. The company has continued to attract financing as it expands its operations. On September 21, the Africa Go Green Fund announced an additional $18 million commitment, bringing its total financing commitment to Spiro to $36 million. The additional financing is expected to support the deployment of more electric motorcycles and expansion of battery-swapping infrastructure in Uganda and Rwanda. Spiro scales electric mobility across Africa. Spiro said it had deployed more than 135,000 electric motorcycles and completed over 50 million battery swaps across its seven active African markets as of September 2026. Discover more Try CAD Software Technology products Technology product reviews The company is also expanding its manufacturing and assembly footprint. Its latest corporate information lists assembly facilities in Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda. The expansion comes as electric motorcycles gain attention as an alternative to petrol-powered two-wheelers, particularly for commercial riders and delivery operators. For Spiro, battery swapping is a key part of its model, allowing riders to replace depleted batteries instead of waiting for their motorcycles to recharge. The company is therefore investing not only in electric motorcycles but also in the infrastructure required to keep them operating at scale. Yadea partnership expands Spiro's two-wheeler strategy. Spiro also announced a partnership with Chinese electric two-wheeler manufacturer Yadea in September. The partnership is intended to support the supply and expansion of electric motorcycles across African markets, adding another component to Spiro's broader electric mobility strategy. The company has previously reported more than 130,000 electric motorcycles, over 2,500 battery-swapping stations and more than 50 million battery swaps. Ramanathan's experience in capital raising, treasury, M&A and corporate governance will now sit alongside that expansion as Spiro continues building its electric mobility network across Africa.

Chief Sales Officer appointment: smart move for Landmark Group. Chief Sales Officer appointment has taken place at Landmark Group with Vinay Wadhwa stepping into the role. Overview of Landmark Group. Landmark Group, a prominent retail and hospitality conglomerate based in the Middle East, has made a significant move by appointing Vinay Wadhwa as its new Chief Sales Officer. This strategic decision aims to enhance the company's sales strategy and strengthen its market presence. Established in 1973, Landmark Group has grown into one of the largest retail chains in the region, operating numerous brands across various sectors, including fashion, electronics, and home goods. The group prides itself on delivering exceptional customer experiences and innovative products. Wadhwa brings over 20 years of experience in sales and marketing to his new role, having previously held leadership positions in several multinational companies. His extensive background in driving sales growth and developing effective business strategies aligns perfectly with Landmark Group's objectives. The appointment of Wadhwa as Chief Sales Officer is seen as a pivotal step for the company, as it looks to adapt to the evolving retail landscape and capitalize on emerging market opportunities. Stakeholders are optimistic that his leadership will lead to sustained growth and profitability. Vinay Wadhwa's background. Vinay Wadhwa brings a wealth of experience to his new role as Chief Sales Officer at Landmark Group. With over two decades in the retail and e-commerce sectors, he has developed a keen understanding of market dynamics and consumer behavior. Wadhwa's career began at a leading multinational corporation, where he honed his skills in sales strategy and team leadership. Over the years, he has held various senior positions, successfully driving growth and profitability in competitive markets. Prior to joining Landmark Group, Wadhwa served as the Vice President of Sales at a prominent retail chain, where he implemented innovative sales techniques that resulted in a significant increase in revenue. His strategic vision and ability to adapt to changing market conditions have earned him a reputation as a thought leader in the industry. In his role as Chief Sales Officer, Wadhwa is expected to leverage his extensive background to enhance the overall sales performance of Landmark Group. His appointment is seen as a smart move, aligning with the company's vision for sustainable growth and customer engagement. Impact of the appointment. The recent appointment of Vinay Wadhwa as Chief Sales Officer is expected to have a significant impact on Landmark Group's sales strategy and overall growth. With his extensive background in sales and marketing, Wadhwa brings a wealth of experience that can help the company navigate the complexities of the retail landscape. Industry experts believe that Wadhwa's leadership will lead to several positive outcomes, including: * Enhanced Sales Performance: Wadhwa's proven track record in driving sales growth suggests that he may implement innovative strategies that boost revenue. * Strengthened Customer Engagement: With a focus on customer-centric approaches, Wadhwa is likely to foster deeper connections with consumers, enhancing brand loyalty. * Streamlined Operations: His experience in optimizing sales processes can contribute to increased efficiency within the organization. * Expanded Market Reach: Wadhwa's insights into market trends may enable Landmark Group to explore new opportunities and expand its product offerings. Overall, Wadhwa's appointment as Chief Sales Officer positions Landmark Group for a promising future in a competitive market. Future plans for sales. With the recent Chief Sales Officer appointment of Vinay Wadhwa, Landmark Group is poised for a transformative phase in its sales strategy. Wadhwa's extensive experience in driving sales growth and customer engagement will be instrumental in reshaping the company's future plans. Under his leadership, the company aims to implement a robust, data-driven approach that focuses on: * Enhancing Customer Experience: Wadhwa plans to leverage technology to streamline interactions and personalize offerings, ensuring that customer satisfaction remains at the forefront. * Expanding Market Reach: The strategy includes exploring new markets and demographics, broadening the customer base while retaining the loyalty of existing clients. * Innovative Sales Strategies: Emphasizing a culture of innovation, the team will introduce fresh sales tactics and training programs to empower the sales force. * Collaborative Efforts: Wadhwa intends to foster collaboration between departments to create cohesive strategies that align with the overall business objectives. These initiatives are expected to solidify Landmark Group's position as a leader in the retail sector and drive sustainable growth. Industry reactions. The recent appointment of Vinay Wadhwa as Chief Sales Officer has sparked significant interest across the retail sector. Industry experts and analysts have shared their views on this strategic move by Landmark Group. * Positive Outlook: Many believe that Wadhwa's extensive experience will bring fresh perspectives to the sales strategies at Landmark Group. His previous successes in driving sales growth are seen as a valuable asset. * Increased Competition: With Wadhwa at the helm, competitors are keenly observing how Landmark Group will adapt its sales tactics. Some analysts suggest that this could lead to more aggressive marketing campaigns in the retail space. * Focus on Innovation: Experts have noted that Wadhwa's appointment could encourage a shift towards innovative sales techniques, especially in the digital realm, aligning with current consumer trends. * Long-term Vision: Overall, the industry response to the Chief Sales Officer appointment has been largely positive, with many anticipating significant growth for Landmark Group in the coming years. Conclusion on leadership changes. As Landmark Group embraces a new chapter with the appointment of Vinay Wadhwa as Chief Sales Officer, the implications for the organization are profound. His extensive experience and proven track record in sales leadership position him as a valuable asset to the company's growth strategy. Wadhwa's expertise is expected to enhance the sales team's performance and drive innovative approaches to customer engagement. The decision to appoint a Chief Sales Officer reflects Landmark Group's commitment to strengthening its leadership team, ensuring that the company is well-prepared to navigate the evolving retail landscape. Stakeholders have expressed optimism about this leadership change, viewing it as a strategic move that aligns with the company's long-term objectives. Moreover, as the retail environment continues to shift, Wadhwa's insights will be vital in adapting to consumer preferences and market trends. With his guidance, Landmark Group is poised to implement effective sales strategies that could lead to increased market share and profitability. In conclusion, the appointment of a Chief Sales Officer signifies a forward-thinking approach that could propel Landmark Group towards greater success in the coming years. The recent Chief Sales Officer appointment at Landmark Group signals a strategic shift towards enhancing their market presence. This Chief Sales Officer appointment is expected to drive new initiatives aimed at boosting sales and customer engagement. References.