Retail - Alpen Capital

The long-term prospects of the GCC retail industry continue to remain positive owing to economic growth, favorable demographics, relaxation of visa rules and liberalization policies. Furthermore, the ambitious agendas adopted by the GCC governments to diversity their economies are leading to significant advancements in the infrastructure and tourism sectors. Alongside the expansion of digital commerce, value-conscious purchasing behaviour is driving operators to invest in private labels, promotional offers, and digitally enabled retail platforms that combine convenience with competitive pricing. Looking ahead, operators are expected to pursue consolidation to streamline operations, adopt technology to enhance competitiveness and expand market share, and strengthen their product customisation capabilities.

Alpen Capital’s comprehensive industry research reports on the retail sector feature forecasts on the size of the market including food and non-food retail sales across the six GCC nations, along with in-depth analysis on recent trends, growth drivers and challenges facing the segment. Furthermore, the report also profiles some of the select retail companies in the region.

Featured Report

GCC Retail Industry Report 2026

September 14, 2026

According to Alpen Capital, retail sales in the GCC are projected to grow from US$ 329.6 billion in 2025 to US$ 386.9 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 3.3%. This growth is expected to be driven by stable macroeconomic fundamentals, an expanding population base, rising tourism and improving disposable incomes. Non-food retail sales are anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 2.7%, while food retail sales are expected to rise at a pace of 4.1% CAGR between 2025 and 2030 across the GCC.

While retail sales this year have experienced a decline amid geopolitical uncertainties and supply-chain vulnerabilities, the sector is expected to maintain steady growth going forward. This outlook is supported by positive macroeconomic indicators, government initiatives and anticipated recovery in consumer spending.

Transaction Announcements

Browse Latest Articles

Retail

Saudi Arabia and UAE: Spearheading Retail Growth in the GCC

May 2, 2025

Retail

Revolutionizing Retail: Tech Trends Shaping the GCC Retail

April 15, 2025

Let's Connect

Alpen Capital’s team specializes in advising retail companies on raising funds for expansion as well as on cross-border and intra-regional acquisitions, helping them enhance their market position and broaden their portfolio.