• Abu Dhabi Investment Office and Hyve announce partnership to launch the first luxury retail event in the global Shoptalk series
  • The event cements Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading destination for luxury retail market
  • Chalhoub Group confirmed as first Launch Partner

ABU DHABI, UAE: The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Hyve today announced a strategic partnership to launch Shoptalk Luxe, marking the first luxury-focussed retail event in the Shoptalk series, with Abu Dhabi as the event’s Host City Partner. Set to take place in January 2026 at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, Shoptalk Luxe is poised to be the world’s most senior gathering of decision-makers shaping the luxury and premium retail sectors.

The global Shoptalk event series is among the most important and innovative in the retail industry. Currently held in Las Vegas, Barcelona, and Chicago, these events unite leading experts and entrepreneurs from the vibrant retail and ecommerce sector to discuss the trends, technology, and influences shaping the industry.

Shoptalk Luxe represents an important addition to the Shoptalk event portfolio, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s status as a premier destination for luxury retail. Building on the emirate’s position as a culture, tourism, and investment hub, this event will showcase an exclusive segment of the global retail industry, focusing on a new era of exceptional, immersive customer experiences.

ADIO is collaborating with leading luxury retailers and technology firms to enhance the emirate’s retail landscape and capitalise on the expansive growth potential of its luxury retail market, harnessing advanced technologies to deliver innovative, curated consumer experiences.

Shoptalk Luxe is set to attract leading players from the $1.5 trillion global luxury market, which is projected to grow by more than 10% annually.

The Shoptalk team has already confirmed Chalhoub Group, the leading partner of luxury experiences in the Middle East, as a Launch Partner of the event, with more global partners to be announced soon. The three-day event will feature over 180 speakers from the leading brands in luxury retail, premium customer experience, and retail technology, attracting more than 2,500 attendees from around the world.

The event is set to attract a global retail and consumer brand sectors who are defining the future of premium retail. Attendees will hear from leading brands and retailers focused on delivering elevated, personalized consumer experiences, while showcasing the latest technology and trends shaping the premium retail sector. As consumer expectations for superior service, personalization, and seamless experiences continue to evolve, the event will provide retailers across industries with insights and strategies to stay ahead.

Noura Alfoulathi, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, said: "The retail sector is a key pillar of a resilient, diverse economy, both locally and globally. As consumer habits and expectations continue to evolve, this sector is witnessing a profound transformation in business models, product offerings, and consumer experiences, requiring retailers to adapt and innovate. By hosting this important event, Abu Dhabi stands at the forefront of these developments, poised to lead the dialogue among global industry leaders, innovators, and luxury brands.”

Mark Shashoua, CEO at Hyve said: “Abu Dhabi is the leading destination for global luxury retail in the Middle East and it was therefore a clear destination for the expansion of Shoptalk. Our partnership with ADIO will enable us to maximise the launch to create a truly unmissable event.”

Sophie Wawro, President of Shoptalk, said: “Today’s consumers expect an elevated, personalized experience across all touchpoints. As the bar for customer service, personalization, and seamless experiences continues to rise, Shoptalk Luxe is here to help retailers at all levels stay ahead. Shoptalk Luxe builds on Shoptalk's reputation for bringing together the retail industry’s most innovative minds and influential voices. We are delighted to be partnering with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office as our Host City Partner to bring this exciting next chapter for Shoptalk to Abu Dhabi in 2026.”

Hosting the conference in Abu Dhabi is expected to foster dialogue among global sector leaders, innovators, and leading brands to support the growth of the global luxury retail sector. Adding Abu Dhabi as the fifth destination in the Shoptalk calendar further cements Shoptalk as the heart of the global retail and ecommerce community

About Hyve

Hyve delivers game-changing impact for people, business and beyond. How? By helping people to make the connections that could change everything, through its portfolio of unmissable events and hyper-productive meetings programmes. Hyve is on a mission to redefine everyone's expectations of events and provide attendees with unbeatable return on investment and time. Hyve's portfolio includes world-renowned brands such as Shoptalk, Bett, Fintech Meetup and HLTH. www.hyve.group 

About Shoptalk

A Hyve event, Shoptalk is widely known for organizing retail’s best and fastest-growing events and bringing together thousands of industry changemakers to collaborate at unparalleled scale across a broad range of online and offline use cases and innovative new formats, including Tabletalks, Hosted Meetings and Meetups. Since 2016, Shoptalk has defined the retail industry’s community of innovators by bringing established retailers and brands together with direct-to-consumer and tech startups, large tech and Internet companies, venture capital investors, real estate developers, equity analysts, media and others. For more information, visit www.shoptalk.com

About the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO):

The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) is the government vehicle responsible for accelerating Abu Dhabi’s growth and enabling the emirate’s economic transformation. Through comprehensive support services, ADIO enables both local and foreign investors to shape industries of the future set to transform liveability, technology, resources, and value-added services. Initiatives focused on supporting tourism and retail development, as well as public-private partnerships, ensure that community well-being is at the centre of Abu Dhabi’s economic transformation. With a robust network of investors, strong collaboration with key stakeholders, and a global presence, ADIO is committed to empowering those who invest with Abu Dhabi to make a lasting global impact. For more information, visit: https://www.investinabudhabi.gov.ae