Cenomi Centers’ Jawharat Al-Riyadh to open in September: CBDO

Dennis Michael, Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO) at Arabian Centres Co. (Cenomi Centers), said that the Jawharat Al-Riyadh project, located in the Al-Raed district, remains on schedule and is expected to open in September 2026.
 

In an interview with Argaam on the sidelines of the RLC Global Forum, Michael said the project is progressing across all stages, including construction, landscaping and leasing. He noted that the company has entered the operational readiness phase and has begun handing over completed fit-out works to several anchor tenants.
 

Commenting on the impact of platforms such as Shein and Temu, Michael said they do not pose significant pressure on the company’s performance. He pointed to rising demand from digital brands seeking to expand into physical retail, citing limited growth potential through online channels alone.
 

He added that the company is working to transform the traditional retail model into integrated lifestyle destinations, strengthening its competitive position in the Saudi market.
 

Michael said the company assesses project performance using multiple indicators, including footfall, engagement across social media platforms, tenant performance, occupancy rates, sales density, and interaction levels in shared spaces within malls.
 

Data plays a central role in performance management, noting that the company launched the Cenomi Plus app at the end of last year. Registered users have exceeded 1.5 million, most of them Saudis and residents, with strong levels of digital engagement recorded.
 

On the impact of e-commerce growth, the CBDO explained that the retail sector is shifting from a transaction-based model to an experience-driven one, supported by a young demographic, with those under 35 accounting for around 65% of the population.
 

He said consumers are increasingly seeking an integrated experience combining digital channels and physical stores, supporting footfall growth at shopping centers.
 

Cenomi Centers’ malls can also play a supporting role for e-commerce by offering micro-fulfilment and logistics services, turning digital growth-related challenges into new expansion opportunities, he concluded.