- The RLC Global Forum and EMARKETER have partnered to launch the Global Digital Index, an initiative designed to analyze retail’s transformation across key regions worldwide.
- This collaboration spans the USA, Asia, Europe, and the GCC, delivering in-depth insights into the factors driving change, while guiding leaders in a rapidly evolving retail landscape.
- The inaugural report offers a roadmap for understanding and leveraging digital trends in the Middle East market.
Riyadh, Dec. 10, 2024 — RLC Global Forum, the leading global platform for advancing the retail industry, and EMARKETER, a trusted authority in digital market intelligence, have announced a strategic partnership to track and analyze retail’s digital evolution across the USA, Asia, Europe, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
In a time marked by economic uncertainty, rapid technological change, and shifting socio-political dynamics, this collaboration brings critical insights to the forefront, providing a comprehensive understanding of how these forces shape retail markets worldwide. Designed to serve as an indispensable tool, the Global Digital Index will empower businesses, organizations, and CEOs to navigate the complexities of the global retail landscape, uncover opportunities for growth, and make informed decisions in an increasingly interconnected world.
Spanning four key regions, this ambitious project captures the scale and diversity of the global retail landscape, delivering meaningful perspectives for better understanding regional dynamics within a broader global context. By offering both detailed data and global comparisons, the new Global Digital Index provides decision-makers with the tools to navigate change, refine their strategies, and drive success in a dynamic market environment.
The inaugural report in the Global Digital Index series focuses on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), offering a detailed analysis of the region’s evolving digital shopping landscape across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. This analysis highlights the unique digital engagement trends within the region, the growing influence of cross-border e-commerce, and the key drivers shaping consumer behavior. By examining the interplay of these factors, the Index provides a nuanced understanding of the GCC’s position in the global digital economy, setting the stage for actionable insights and strategic opportunities.
As the first installment/edition in the Global Digital Index series created by the RLC Global Forum in collaboration with EMARKETER, this report is designed to provide a deeper understanding of the region’s digital evolution, support strategic decision-making, inform policy initiatives, and highlight untapped opportunities within the GCC’s burgeoning digital economy.
Panos Linardos, Chairman, RLC Global Forum, stated: “As the retail industry faces unprecedented disruption, our partnership with EMARKETER represents a bold step forward in equipping leaders with the insights they need to thrive. By combining our expertise, we are creating a resource that is not only timely but also invaluable, helping stakeholders better understand and adapt to the ever-changing global retail environment.”
Matthias Braun, Chief Executive Officer, EMARKETER, said: “We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with RLC Global Forum which marks an important step in expanding the data and insights available to digital leaders in the region.” Zia Daniell Wigder, Chief Content Officer, EMARKETER added: “Our first-ever Global Digital Index presents a unique perspective on digital evolution, highlighting not only which countries lead and lag, but also what to anticipate as markets like those in the GCC start to mature.”
The Global Digital Index: GCC in Perspective report will be revealed at the two-day 2025 RLC Global Forum in Riyadh on February 4 & 5.
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