Retail

Regular rises in the minimum wage, the most recent of which took place in July 2013, have increased overall purchasing power in the sultanate. Other factors, such as a rising number of expatriates and tourists, the growing appeal and awareness of international trends, low market saturation, political stability and high oil prices have attracted major investments by international retailers that see strong potential for the Omani marketplace. The ongoing influx of hypermarkets and supermarkets is likely to see retailers, both domestic and foreign, continuing to penetrate the country’s interior as the coastal population centres become saturated. These dynamics are likely to shape the retail sector – and the investment opportunities available – in the short to medium term. This chapter contains interviews with Pankaj Khimji, Partner-Director, Khimji Ramdas; and Said Al Ka’abi, Chairman, Public Authority for Consumer Protection.