Driving Retail Growth Under Saudi Vision 2030: Apparel Group’s Expanding Footprint in the Kingdom

Saudi Arabia’s retail landscape is evolving at a remarkable pace, fueled by large-scale developments and a growing emphasis on lifestyle-driven destinations under Saudi Vision 2030. At the RLC Global Forum in Riyadh, Riyadh Daily spoke with Mr. Neeraj Teckchandani, CEO of Apparel Group, about how the company is positioning itself for long-term growth in one of the region’s most dynamic markets.

For Teckchandani, Saudi Arabia represents both opportunity and responsibility. “We are extremely optimistic about the Kingdom’s growth trajectory,” he said. “Saudi Vision 2030 and the scale of projects underway have created an environment where retail is no longer limited to just shopping. It’s about experience, community, and quality of life. We want to be part of that transformation.”

Apparel Group has already established a strong presence across the Kingdom and continues to expand aggressively. The company has signed with Diriyah for Diriyah Square and is working closely with Saudi Entertainment Ventures on five projects scheduled to open this year. Beyond Riyadh, the group is present in major upcoming malls across Medina, the Eastern Province, and the Central Province.

Growth has also come through diversification. While fashion remains core to the business, Apparel Group has been expanding into food and beverage, and entertainment, introducing new concepts including Immersive Gamebox and Sandbox. Last year alone, the group opened around 150 stores in Saudi Arabia. This year, it plans to launch more than 200 additional locations, with further expansion already in the pipeline.

But scale, Teckchandani emphasized, is only part of the story. “As a multi-brand retailer, our focus is not piegonheld on bringing global names into the market,” he explained. “It’s also about making sure those brands feel relevant locally.”

That commitment to localization runs deep. Apparel Group works closely with brand partners to adapt everything from product assortments and sizing to marketing and in-store experiences. The company also develops regional capsule collections - including Ramadan-specific footwear and apparel - and collaborates with local celebrities to introduce these lines to consumers.

“Community building is very important to us,” Teckchandani said. “We want our brands to feel like they belong here. That means understanding cultural nuances and reflecting them authentically in what we offer.”

Looking ahead, Teckchandani believes Saudi Arabia is on track to become one of the world’s leading retail destinations, driven by a new generation of experiential developments that combine shopping, dining, and entertainment.

“Projects like Diriyah, Riyadh’s new retail avenues, and upcoming mall destinations are redefining what retail looks like,” he said. “These spaces are being designed as lifestyle hubs, not traditional malls.”

He added that the retail environment five years from now will look dramatically different, offering immersive experiences that appeal to both residents and visitors, and positioning Saudi Arabia as a regional retail powerhouse.

For Apparel Group, the Kingdom remains central to its future plans. “Saudi Arabia is one of our key growth markets,” Teckchandani concluded. “We are committed to growing alongside the country and contributing to its journey. Our goal is to create meaningful retail experiences while supporting Saudi Vision 2030 and the broader transformation taking place across the Kingdom.”