Podcast series on The Future of Retail in the GCC launched by TikTok

In the run-up to Black Friday, a key shopping day for many retailers across the region, TikTok has announced the launch of a podcast series titled ‘The Future of Retail.’ The podcast will be hosted by Aref Yehia, Head of Retail & E-Commerce Business Partnerships at TikTok MENA, and will feature discussions with some of the retail industry’s heavy hitters. TikTok channels will have full-length episodes available for both audio and video streaming.

Although there have never been more opportunities in the business world, there has also never been more competition. TikTok is assisting businesses in understanding shoppers’ needs and the opportunities that will continue to solidify and shape the future of commerce, both for key retail moments such as Black Friday and beyond.

Commenting on the launch, Aref Yehia, Head of Retail & E-Commerce at TikTok MENA, said: “In the past two years, retail has had to evolve and redefine itself probably more than any other industry. While the general conversation might have been triggered by the pandemic, we find that there are far more interesting innovations and developments happening in this space, that might have been overshadowed by a virtual vs. physical world debate.

In reality, there are many horizons to the future. Tomorrow, next year, 5, 10 and 20 years from now all present very different versions of the future. We are launching this podcast to explore what the future of retail holds from the different lenses of some of the region’s most interesting and impactful industry leaders.”

The podcast will debut ahead of one of the most anticipated shopping events of the year, with C-level guests from companies such as Chalhoub Group, Yoox Net-a-Porter, Apparel Group’s 6thStreet.com, and Majid Al Futtaim. TikTok is always looking for new ways to help partners navigate the current shift in the industry landscape and the evolution of consumer needs. Brands have found success resonating with the TikTok community not because they had the most expensive ad or the biggest names attached to their campaign, but because of their ability to engage and connect with users creatively through a fully immersive, full-screen, and sound-on environment. TikTok provides valuable opportunities for exposure and connection with consumers for businesses of all sizes ahead of the Black Friday weekend.