MARAKEZ Shapes the Future of the Retail Industry by launching the First Vertical Event – «Rise Up Retail» and Bazarna simultaneously at District Five

MARAKEZ – the leading award-winning mixed-use real estate developer, launched the first RiseUp vertical event from District 5 – “RiseUp Retail”, on June 9th & 10th, 2023. RiseUp Retail is an exceptional gathering of industry pioneers, thought leaders and entrepreneurs united by their passion for retail to unlock the limitless potential of the industry.

MARAKEZ continues to set the benchmark for retail in Egypt and has taken the retail experience to a new level beyond shopping to provide added value by encouraging innovation and creativity. MARAKEZ’s collaboration with RiseUp demonstrates its commitment to providing a platform for industry leaders to gather, exchange ideas, and shape the future of the retail sector.

The event also featured the magnificent Bazarna Summer Expo providing an exceptional shopping experience for visitors and enabling 250 + local talents to showcase their innovative products while enjoying eye-opening talks, matchmaking features, and workshops all in one place full of fun, entertainment, kids’ activities, and good music.

Commenting on the event, MARAKEZ Executive Vice Chairman, Dasha Badrawi said, “We are proud to host the first RiseUp Retail at District Five, taking place at our flagship development. By bringing together experts in the retail industry, we hope to drive meaningful discussions, foster innovation, and pave the way for a future where retail continues to thrive.”

Commenting on the significance of RiseUp and MARAKEZ’s ongoing collaboration, Abdelhameed Sharara, Founder and CEO of RiseUp, said, “I am happy to partner up with MARAKEZ to organize RiseUp Retail at District Five – a vibrant destination that matches the creatives’ need for a comfort environment.

RiseUp Retail, our first sector-specific summit, and the first retail-specific event in the country, is an opportunity to bring the innovative and technological sector of the ecosystem together with Bazarna’s small and medium enterprise retailers in order to properly equip the retail industry with the resources they need to move forward into an innovative future.”

The event featured over 90 talks, panels, and fireside chats, providing invaluable insights from esteemed speakers representing companies such as TikTok, Amazon, and Unilever. Through a series of sessions, such as “Clicks to Bricks: Going from Selling Online to a Physical Store,” “Mastering the Art of Social Commerce,” and “Unlocking Egypt’s E-commerce Potential.” These sessions are designed to equip attendees with practical strategies and knowledge to navigate the ever-evolving retail landscape.

RiseUp Retail offered great matchmaking features, which include talent matchmaking, mentor matchmaking, investor matchmaking, and B2B matchmaking. These features enabled exhibitors to discover the right talent, receive guidance from industry experts, pitch their brands to potential investors, and connect with service providers to enhance their businesses. The RiseUp Retail event coincides with an exciting period for District Five as more companies are joining its vibrant office park. District Five, MARAKEZ’s flagship project in New Katameya, East Cairo.