Saudi: Cenomi Centers and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield forge landmark partnership
• Strategic and franchising partnership announced between Cenomi Centers, the leading mall developer and operator in Saudi Arabia, and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), owner, developer and operator of sustainable, high-quality flagship Westfield destinations in Europe and the US
• 10-year agreement, with an option to extend for an additional 10 years, covering exclusive licensing rights to the Westfield brand in KSA and access to URW's network, expertise and capabilities across key assets
• Partnership to enhance Cenomi Centers' market leadership; expanding its consumer and tenant base, elevating customer experience to global standards, unlocking new growth avenues, and improving sustainability and operational efficiencies
• Cenomi will continue to fully own and operate all of its assets, including those that will be undergoing rebranding.
• Contributes to the broader economic and development goals of the Kingdom while continuing the international expansion of the iconic Westfield brand
Cenomi Centers and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) signed on Sunday, May 4, a 10-year exclusive strategic and franchising partnership agreement, with the option to extend for another 10 years, covering the Saudi Arabian shopping center market, demonstrating Cenomi Centers' unwavering commitment to strengthening its leadership position in KSA and the MENA region.
Under this partnership, Cenomi Centers will obtain the exclusive licensing rights to the Westfield brand in KSA from URW, and tap into URW's best-in-class network and capabilities across a full range of support in key areas including Leasing, Operations, Marketing, Retail Media and more, allowing Cenomi Centers' Westfield-branded malls to be top-of-mind destinations for consumers, tourists and brands, while boosting its market share.
Under the Westfield brand, and with URW's support, Cenomi Centers will offer Saudi residents and tourists the next generation of world-class shopping center experiences, boosting tourism and global engagement within the sector, acting as a powerful contributor to Vision 2030's objectives of enhancing quality of life, and opening the Kingdom to the world's global retail champions.
The partnership was signed in a ceremony at Jawharat Riyadh, which also celebrated the initial collaboration on three malls, Jawharat Riyadh, Jawharat Jeddah and Nakheel Dammam, which will be the first to be branded as Westfield centers. More details on these three malls and others will follow in the coming months, with the collaboration set to extend across up to eight of Cenomi Centers' portfolio of top malls.
Alison Rehill-Erguven, CEO of Cenomi Centers, said: 'We are thrilled to embark on this groundbreaking and exclusive partnership with URW, a global leader in the retail industry. This collaboration not only solidifies our position as the leading owner, operator and developer of contemporary lifestyle centers in Saudi Arabia, but also aligns with the Kingdom's broader goals for economic growth and development in both the sector and region. Together, we will cement our position as the leader in KSA by introducing exciting new growth and tenancy opportunities for many years to come.'
Jean-Marie Tritant, CEO of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, said: 'Cenomi Centers is an incredible partner that shares our vision for the future of retail. Its portfolio of flagship destinations matches the ambition of the Westfield brand, providing the perfect platform to deliver Westfield's unmatched experience to customers and visitors in the Kingdom while also supporting the brand's international expansion. We are tremendously proud of the partnership, and the opportunity to work with Cenomi Centers to contribute to the broader economic and development goals of the Kingdom.'
The partnership with URW is exclusive within the Kingdom and affirms Cenomi Centers' premier and well-established position in its home market, showing a vote of confidence in its growth trajectory over the coming years.
Key benefits include:
• Expanded consumer base: Westfield is one of the most recognizable global flagship mall brands, with over 900 million annual visits in the US and Europe. As the brand is highly known to and admired by Saudi consumers and KSA's increasing number of visitors, Cenomi Centers is able to significantly expand its customer base amongst Saudi citizens, residents and tourists.
• Enhanced tenant offerings: Access to URW's unparalleled tenant and partner relationships will help Cenomi Centers increase its share of key global anchor brands and first-to-KSA stores, creating a superior, increasingly differentiated offering, and encouraging higher footfall and tenant sales.
• World-class customer experience: URW's global experience and industry leadership will help Cenomi Centers significantly enhance its customer experience, tenant mix and offering to international best-in-class standards. Cenomi Centers will bring the latest digital technologies and journeys, including in-mall apps and services, to the Saudi consumer.
• New growth opportunities: The partnership will boost Cenomi Centers' financial performance in its existing and new developments, in both its core GLA business and also in digital media sales, leveraging the expertise and international reach of URW's Westfield Rise retail media agency. This partnership also sees Cenomi Centers and URW collaborating on 3rd party business opportunities serving the Kingdom's major retail and lifestyle developments.
• Sustainability and operational efficacies: Cenomi Centers will be able to significantly boost sustainability and operational efficiencies across its portfolio by leveraging best-in-class tools, systems and manuals in the management of its daily operations.
The partnership entails fixed and variable licensing and service fees for URW along with opportunities for the companies to further collaborate on business and licensing opportunities within KSA.
The partnership between Cenomi Centers and URW marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of retail and lifestyle in Saudi Arabia. By combining Cenomi Centers' unparalleled market leadership with URW's global expertise and the Westfield brand, this collaboration promises to redefine the shopping experience in the region.
© Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Campaign ME
2 hours ago
- Campaign ME
Hessa Al Sudairy joins Publicis Communications KSA as Executive Creative Director
Publicis Communications KSA, the creative hub of Publicis Groupe Middle East has appointed Hessa Al Sudairy as Executive Creative Director. In this role, Al Sudairy will collaborate with the Leo Burnett and Saatchi & Saatchi offices across the Kingdom to further strengthen their creative vision across a diverse and growing client portfolio. She brings over 15 years of experience in the region, with a strong track record of developing campaigns for both Saudi Arabia's leading brands and global powerhouses. Her work spans sectors including telecom, tech, banking and finance, FMCG, and automotive, with a portfolio that features global and regional brands including Apple, stc, Almarai, Red Bull, Volkswagen, and several top financial institutions. Al Sudairy joined Leo Burnett early in her career as a copywriter and now returns to lead the creative charge in a market that continues to evolve rapidly. Bassel Kakish, Chief Executive Officer, Publicis Groupe ME&T, said, 'Hessa's return comes at a pivotal moment for our creative ambitions in Saudi Arabia. She brings the right mix of creative leadership, market understanding, and collaborative energy that our clients value. We're excited to have her back.' Publicis Communications KSA claims her creative approach combines strategic thinking with cultural relevance. She has also been known for delivering ideas that are both impactful and grounded in insight. Fizo Younis, Chief Creative Officer, Publicis Communications KSA & Egypt, said, 'You're only as good as the people you work with, and Hessa raises the bar. Her creative excellence speaks for itself, but it's who she is as a person that makes working with her such a joy. Can't wait to see how she leads our teams in KSA to new heights. Commenting on her appointment Al Sudairy said, 'It's thrilling to return to a dynamic, ever-evolving group that places integration at the heart of its offering, and to bring that to the region's most exciting market, KSA.' Her award winning work has been recognised by Dubai Lynx, Loeries, Effies, WARC and D&AD, and she has previously served as a juror for Dubai Lynx and the Clio Awards. Her appointment aims to reflects the agency's focus on strengthening its creative leadership across the region and deepening its commitment to the Saudi market.
Gulf Today
17 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Saudi CDF celebrates KSA handicrafts through showcase in Selfridges, London
The Saudi Cultural Development Fund (CDF) is showcasing a curated collection by Saudi artisans at Selfridges London, one of the world's leading luxury retail destinations, June 3-22. The initiative highlights the cultural and economic value and salience of Saudi handicrafts, providing an international platform for local artisans and cultural entrepreneurs to introduce their work to a global audience, as part of CDF's ongoing efforts to amplify the impact of the Year of Handicrafts 2025 in KSA. In collaboration with Turquoise Mountain, a global non-profit dedicated to reviving traditional arts and empowering craftspeople, the showcase offers visitors a curated selection of handcrafted pieces in a dedicated space within Selfridges. Themed with references to Saudi Arabia's natural and architectural heritage, the activation highlights work crafted from locally sourced, sustainable materials, reimagined through a contemporary creative lens. The collection features handicraft pieces in palm handicrafts, jewellery and accessories and leather crafts created by artisans from across the Kingdom, together representing the diverse and rich landscape of Saudi artisanship. Examining a product. The programme runs in parallel with a Saudi fashion showcase at Selfridges, also enabled by CDF in collaboration with the Saudi Fashion Commission. It features a curated lineup of Saudi fashion brands — beneficiaries of CDF and the Saudi 100 Brands initiative — presenting their collections alongside Selfridges' leading international labels, highlighting the dynamism and rapid growth of Saudi Arabia's cultural sector. Through the multifaceted show, CDF aims to empower artisans and cultural entrepreneurs to showcase their work on a global stage, stimulate investment in the handicrafts and fashion sectors, and reinforce the international visibility of Saudi heritage during the Year of Handicrafts 2025 in Saudi Arabia. The showcase builds on CDF's ongoing Year of Handicrafts initiatives to empower the Saudi cultural sector, maximise economic and social contributions of traditional crafts, and broaden their reach, both locally and internationally. A key milestone in the efforts is the recent launch of the Nama' Accelerators: Handicrafts Track — a dedicated enablement solution that supports cultural businesses through specialised training, mentorship, and financial incentives. By developing scalable, sustainable enterprises, Nama' drives community growth, enhances innovation, enriches national identity, and reinforces heritage crafts as dynamic contributors to Saudi Arabia's broader economic diversification. Through Nama' and other empowerment solutions, CDF strives to strengthen the creative entrepreneurial ecosystem and ensure that traditional crafts thrive as both cultural treasures and engines of economic growth. Founded in 2021, CDF seeks to enrich Saudi Arabia's cultural landscape. It is organisationally linked to the Saudi National Development Fund and aims to foster the development of a self-reliant cultural sector. By supporting cultural activities and projects, empowering those involved in them and facilitating investment in the sector, CDF works to improve the cultural sector's profitability, in alignment with the National Culture Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030. Selfridges is a London icon. Aligned with the Ministry of Culture's ambitious goals, the Saudi Fashion Commission was established to empower and support the fashion sector in Saudi Arabia. The Commission's strategy focuses on supporting the fashion community throughout the total value chain, from the design process through production, development, and product lifecycle management. The Commission recognises the fashion industry as a pillar of local culture, reflecting Saudi Arabia's rich heritage. It works to amplify Saudi heritage and identity within the industry, contributing to fulfilling global needs and achieving a positive impact on the national economy. The Commission's mission is to enable the development of a thriving Saudi fashion sector that is sustainable, inclusive, and fully integrated to support local talent. Handicrafts have long held a special place in Saudi Arabia's cultural fabric, representing a prosperous heritage passed down through generations. Rooted in the creativity and skill of Saudi artisans, traditional crafts symbolise the nation's ingenuity and resilience, while highlighting its diverse cultural identity. Throughout 2025, the Saudi Ministry of Culture is organising an array of events, exhibitions, educational programmes and competitions under the banner of the 'Year of Handicrafts'. The activities aim to emphasise the cultural and historical significance of handicrafts, while supporting their relevance in contemporary life. By highlighting artisanry across various sectors, the initiative seeks to foster appreciation for traditional arts and encourage their continued practice and preservation. Handicrafts, including palm weaving, metalwork and pottery, serve as enduring symbols of Saudi culture, blending tradition with modernity. They are not only artistic expression, but also a reflection of the Kingdom's history, values, and adaptability. By celebrating them, the Year of Handicrafts aims to inspire new generations to engage with their heritage and highlight the talent of Saudi artisans to local and global audiences. The initiative also seeks to empower artisans by enhancing opportunities for their crafts in contemporary markets and strengthening their connection with the global community. Through partnerships across the public, private, and non-profit sectors, the Year of Handicrafts cultivates sustainable practices, fosters innovation, and contributes to cultural dialogue. As a testament to the Ministry of Culture's commitment to safeguarding Saudi Arabia's heritage, the Year of Handicrafts also provides a platform to celebrate the stories, skills, and traditions that form the foundation of the Kingdom's cultural identity. Selfridges is an upscale department store, stocking designer and popular clothing brands plus housewares and gifts. The Oxford Street icon is a London landmark and a luxury shopping experience, home to both affordable and premium brands, offering fashion, beauty, time pieces and jewellery to home and technology and haute cuisine.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia pavilion commemorates 70th anniversary of Saudi Japanese diplomatic relations
Osaka, Japan — The Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka celebrates the 70th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Japan. On June 7, 1955, the two nations established formal diplomatic ties – a historic milestone that laid the foundation for a long-standing partnership. The relationship has evolved over the decades into a multifaceted alliance that promotes cultural exchange and diplomatic cooperation, with a significant economic impact for both countries. Most recently, in February 2025, the two nations signed a Memorandum for Establishing a Strategic Partnership Council, which would be chaired by the leaders of both nations. In the last decade, bilateral trade has grown significantly, from $33.4 billion to $41 billion, with trade volumes now surpassing $41 billion. At Expo 2025 in Osaka, the Saudi Arabia Pavilion is hosting hundreds of business events to foster trade and investment relations between Saudi Arabia and Japan, featuring presentations led by the Ministry of Investment and the Ministry of Commerce, as well as events focused on the opportunities presented by Vision 2030. Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Japan and Commissioner General of the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, said, 'The Saudi-Japanese relationship has grown from strength to strength over seven decades. It runs deeper than just economic partners. It is a testament to the depth of diversity in the relationship we have. Together, with the strength of our history behind us, and the momentum of our present, we are poised to define the future.' 'With Expo 2025 underway in Osaka and the next Expo in Riyadh in 2030, our two nations are at the forefront of global exchange, showcasing the latest innovations, sustainable technologies, and helping shape tomorrow's multilateralism,' Dr. Ghazi concluded. As Saudi Arabia and Japan look to the future, the ongoing Expo 2025 Osaka aims to increase Japanese visitation to Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom aims to attract 30,000 Japanese visitors annually in the lead up to Expo 2030 Riyadh. This forms part of the broader Saudi Arabia–Japan Vision 2030 Strategy, which includes over 80 projects involved across nine sectors: food and agricultural security, media and entertainment, medical care, high-quality infrastructure, finance and investment, competitive industries, energy, SMEs, sport, education, and culture. Cultural exchange has also blossomed as Saudi Arabia emerges as the hub in the Middle East for Japanese culture through its home-grown Manga Studios, which are on display in August at the Saudi Arabia Pavilion. along with the enthusiastic support of over 700,000 visitors to the Saudi Arabia Pavilion since April 13th2025. The Saudi Arabia Pavilion hosts over 700 events across the Expo 2025 Osaka program, including daily performances and live shows. The site offers an exciting visitor journey through seven immersive rooms. Additionally, Saudi Arabia will host its National Day on September 23rd with a full array of events and presentations. Media Contact: Email: Media@ Website & Social Media Handles: Instagram: @ksaexpo2025 X: @KSAExpo2025_ YouTube: @KSAExpo2025 LinkedIn: Saudi Arabia at Expo Facebook: KSA Expo 2025 TikTok: @ksaexpo LINE: KSA 大阪万博2025 Website:
