Retail

With a strong fiscal base, a high average per capita income and a robust shopping culture, Kuwait looks set to rebound from a period of stagnant growth caused by declining oil prices. While the local retail sector is small compared to larger GCC markets like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, consumers are quickly catching up with their regional peers in their tastes and demand for international food, brands and shopping experiences. Retail and wholesale trade accounts for a sizeable percentage of Kuwait’s GDP, and there are solid growth forecasts for the coming year. Existing sector players are expecting 2019 to be a year of increased consumer confidence and healthier disposable incomes.