The inaugural edition of Shoptalk Luxe – part of the global Shoptalk event series – concluded as a resounding success, bringing together one of the most influential gatherings in global luxury retail. Held from 27 to 29 January 2026, the event welcomed over 2,000 attendees and 170+ speakers, marking a landmark moment for the luxury and premium retail industry in the Middle East.
Over three power-packed days, the landmark event brought the world’s most prominent luxury leaders to Abu Dhabi. More than 2,000 senior decision-makers and over 170 global speakers participated in high-impact dialogue, strategic exchange, and industry-defining insights.
Rebecca Bemhena, VP, Content, Luxe, Shoptalk opened the event on a powerful note, “To be relevant (in elevated retail) today, we must master three things at once: Art, hospitality, and science. First, art. The visible expression of luxury. So, the craftsmanship, creativity, and point of view that makes something feel both timely and timeless. Second, hospitality, the human experience that surrounds the product. And we’re here at the Emirates Palace for a reason, because luxury is increasingly defined not just by what we sell, but by how we make people feel, welcome, known, cared for. And third, science, the engine behind modern luxury. So, the strategy, data, and technology that turns creativity into consistent growth and that’s exactly what our agenda is built to explore. Practical ways to reach the right customer, in the right moment, in the right way.”
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Day 1: Regional leadership, legacy, and the power of reinvention
The opening day set the tone with regional industry leaders taking the stage, led by Michael Chalhoub, CEO of Chalhoub Group, who spoke about how his family’s history has shaped the business’s approach to growth and risk. He noted that change is the only constant and that resilience comes from people, making it essential to invest in and protect them. Drawing on moments when his family was forced to rebuild from scratch after leaving Syria, Lebanon, and Kuwait, he described this ability to restart and adapt as a defining mindset that continues to guide the business today.
Marco Parsiegla, CEO of Amouage, also shared insights. He spoke about the brand’s identity as an Omani high perfumery house, grounded in origin and intent. He described Amouage’s role as one of connection, saying it is about “bridging the gap between East and West,” as well as balancing modernity with tradition in a way that reflects the DNA of the country. He also reflected on how consumer expectations are evolving, noting a growing appetite for bolder creations that carry meaning. Today’s audiences, he explained, want to understand not just what they are wearing, but why a product exists and what a brand represents. For Amouage, he added, true boldness comes through clarity rather than excess, where strength, when thoughtfully expressed, becomes a form of elegance.
Day 2: Global leaders on transformation, experience, and excellence
Day two focused on what it takes to move beyond momentum and sustain excellence at scale. Daniel Grieder, CEO of Hugo Boss, spoke about the brand’s recent transformation, from refreshing its identity and embedding innovation into product, to fully digitalising the business and building an omnichannel model supported by a new internal culture. While this phase delivered rapid growth, he noted that the next challenge lies in discipline. Introducing the company’s “Claim Five” strategy, he described the shift from expansion to fine-tuning, explaining that fast growth inevitably creates excess, and that the next phase is about converting that excess into strength, moving the brand from great to truly excellent.
The conversation then turned to the role of experience in luxury, with Michael Ward, Managing Director of Harrods, sharing a clear perspective. He stressed that experience can never compensate for a weak product, noting that it exists to amplify what is already exceptional. At its core, he explained, luxury is rooted in craftsmanship, creativity, and storytelling, and in the memories these things create for customers. As he put it, “selling a bottle of perfume is a transaction, creating a memory is the experience,” underlining the responsibility luxury brands have to create moments that last beyond the point of purchase.
Day 3: Female leaders shaping the future of luxury
The final day brought female leadership and creative authority into focus, led by Vera Wang, Founder and Creative Director of Vera Wang. Speaking about the pace of change shaping the industry, Wang addressed how technology, speed, and younger generations are reshaping fashion, noting that boredom sets in quickly and that change has always been central to the discipline. She pointed to brands such as Chanel and Ralph Lauren as rare examples of houses that have managed to preserve their codes while continuing to evolve, and argued that experimentation, particularly in couture and emerging talent, has become increasingly necessary. She also highlighted the role of brand owners in enabling this shift, describing their willingness to finance risk and reinvention as both courageous and essential.
“Because of what’s happening with technology, the speed of things, and the younger generation, people get bored quickly, and that’s fashion. Fashion is about change. It’s not about the same thing. That’s why brands like Chanel and Ralph Lauren are so unusual. They’ve managed to keep their codes, but they’re evolving those codes. When it comes to couture and new talent, there really is a need to experiment more. The owners of these companies are willing to shake things up because they’re the ones financing it, and that’s quite courageous. In many ways, it’s also quite necessary,” she said.
The discussion then shifted to retail transformation, with Jennifer Woo, Chairman and CEO of The Lane Crawford Joyce Group, challenging traditional department store models. She spoke about the need to move away from rigid, department-led structures toward more fluid, human-centric systems that allow creativity and collaboration to flourish. While acknowledging the importance of performance and targets, she stressed that these should never come at the expense of craft, arguing that mastery and imagination remain central to the long-term relevance of luxury retail.
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Together, the perspectives shared across the three days captured the change shaping luxury today, from leadership and creativity to experience, craft, and reinvention. Across stages and sessions, Shoptalk Luxe created space for these ideas to be examined in depth, bringing clarity to the challenges facing the industry and the opportunities emerging ahead.
As part of the internationally recognised Shoptalk series, Shoptalk Luxe concluded its inaugural edition as a defining moment for the regional luxury calendar. More than a forum for discussion, the event acted as a catalyst for ongoing dialogue, reinforcing Shoptalk Luxe’s role as a platform where the industry comes together to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and shape what comes next.
Shoptalk Luxe will be back in Abu Dhabi in 2027.
