Tag: saudi

  • Bacha Coffee Brews Global Expansion with Luxury Launches in Beijing and Saudi Arabia

    Bacha Coffee Brews Global Expansion with Luxury Launches in Beijing and Saudi Arabia

    Bacha Coffee, a Moroccan coffee house established in Marrakech in 1910, has further expanded its global footprint with its entry into two new markets, Beijing and Saudi Arabia. This development is a part of the brand’s consistent international growth trajectory.

    In Beijing, the brand has set up shop at the China World Mall, offering a multi-dimensional experience that integrates retail, takeaway, and a cozy Coffee Room seating area. This location showcases the brand’s extensive selection of over 200 specialty coffees, all of which are brewed using 100% Arabica beans sourced from 35 coffee-growing regions worldwide.

    The 210-square-meter Beijing store features a boutique that sells loose and packaged coffees, gift boxes, and accessories. Coffee Masters are readily available to assist customers and grind coffee beans on demand. The store also includes a 25-seat Coffee Room, featuring design elements inspired by the brand’s Moroccan heritage.

    Taha Bouqdib, President and CEO of V3 Gourmet, expressed his excitement over this latest expansion. “Our new location is designed to spark the curiosity of our guests, much like how coffee takes us on journeys to distant locales,” he said. “We’ve blended the old with the new in a single experience, honoring our past while paving the way for the future, with 100% Arabica specialty coffee taking center stage in this vibrant scene of life.”

    The latest openings in Beijing and Riyadh are part of Bacha Coffee’s extensive expansion across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The brand currently operates 42 stores in 16 cities globally, including Paris, Tokyo, Seoul, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taipei. In addition, the brand made its debut in Thailand last year.

    Questions & Answers

    How many specialty coffees does Bacha Coffee offer?
    Bacha Coffee offers an extensive selection of over 200 specialty coffees.

    Where are the newest Bacha Coffee stores located?
    The newest Bacha Coffee stores are located in Beijing, China, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

    How many locations does Bacha Coffee operate worldwide?
    Bacha Coffee currently operates 42 locations in 16 cities worldwide.

  • Goldman Forms Onshore Wealth Presence in Saudi Arabia

    Goldman Forms Onshore Wealth Presence in Saudi Arabia

    Goldman Sachs, headquartered in New York, is extending its international presence with the establishment of an onshore wealth management operation in Saudi Arabia.

    The banking giant is initiating an onshore private wealth management presence in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as per a recent announcement. To bolster this expansion, Goldman Sachs has appointed Yousef Alhozaimy and Khalid Soufi as private wealth advisors. The advisors will be based in Riyadh, and there is an active search to recruit more advisors and fill other roles.

    The One Bank Approach

    The American bank plans to utilize its “One Goldman Sachs” approach to serve its clients in Saudi Arabia holistically. This method capitalizes on the broad capabilities of the group, in cooperation with asset management, global banking, and markets colleagues.

    Rob Mullane, the co-head of private wealth management for EMEA at Goldman Sachs, expressed his delight over the expansion. He noted the dynamic nature of the Saudi Arabian economy and the sophistication of its investor base.

    He elaborated, “Our goal is to offer regional clients access to Goldman Sachs’ premier Private Wealth Management business. This will open up local and global investment opportunities and contribute to the local financial industry.”

    Questions & Answers

    What is Goldman Sachs’ latest expansion move?

    Goldman Sachs is establishing an onshore private wealth management business in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

    Who are the appointed advisors for the new Saudi Arabian operation?

    Yousef Alhozaimy and Khalid Soufi have been appointed as private wealth advisors for the Riyadh-based operation.

    What is the aim of this expansion according to the EMEA co-head of private wealth management at Goldman Sachs?

    Rob Mullane stated that the aim is to provide regional clients with access to Goldman Sachs’ leading Private Wealth Management business, thereby creating local and global investment opportunities and contributing to the local financial industry.

  • JD Logistics Unveils Groundbreaking Express Delivery Service In Saudi Arabia: A Leap In Global Expansion Strategy

    JD Logistics Unveils Groundbreaking Express Delivery Service In Saudi Arabia: A Leap In Global Expansion Strategy

    JD Logistics, the logistics subsidiary of Chinese e-commerce behemoth JD.com, recently unveiled its consumer-centric express delivery service, JoyExpress, in Saudi Arabia – the first of its kind outside of China.

    JD Logistics’ Market Expansion

    JD Logistics is widely reputed for its self-built warehousing and delivery infrastructure in China, where it manages over 3,600 warehouses. The introduction of JoyExpress takes this efficient, self-operated model to international frontiers, promising speedy delivery services within the same day in Saudi Arabia.

    The move signifies a pioneering stride in JD.com’s revitalized global expansion strategy, as disclosed by the company’s founder and chairman, Richard Liu. The growth opportunities in domestic markets are increasingly elusive for e-commerce giants due to deflationary pressures amplified by stagnating consumer confidence, a drawn-out property crisis, and wage growth concerns in China.

    In a recent discussion in Beijing, Liu underscored the significance of international markets for JD.com’s future growth. He also hinted at a likely hastening of the company’s overseas ventures in the imminent future.

    Strengthening the European Footprint and Beyond

    “We’ve been operational in Europe for three years, and we’ve essentially established our logistics infrastructure there. Nevertheless, it’s inadequate,” Liu said. Over the last half-decade, which Liu refers to as “lost years,” JD.com has broadened its competitive scope to include companies like Chinese food delivery titan Meituan, across diverse sectors from food delivery to travel booking.

    Earlier this year, JD.com launched JD Takeaway, a direct rival to Meituan. In addition, Meituan has also broadened its footprint in Saudi Arabia in recent years.

    Summing up the company’s performance over the last five years, Liu expressed regret over the lack of innovation at JD.com, referring to this period as one of decline for the company.

    Cryptocurrency Ambitions

    Liu also disclosed JD.com’s intentions to procure stablecoin licenses in countries with major currencies. The objective of this venture is to streamline foreign exchange transactions between international corporations, thereby lessening the cost of cross-border payments by up to 90% and boosting efficiency to within 10 seconds.

    In 2021, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) disclosed that Jingdong Coinlink Technology Hong Kong, a fully-owned subsidiary of JD Technology, had joined its stablecoin issuer sandbox. The sandbox initiative is an HKMA framework that communicates regulatory expectations to institutions keen on issuing stablecoins in Hong Kong.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the significance of JD Logistics launching JoyExpress in Saudi Arabia?
    Launching JoyExpress in Saudi Arabia marks JD Logistics’ first consumer-focused express delivery service outside of China, indicating a significant step in its global expansion strategy.

    What are JD.com’s future plans concerning global expansion?
    According to the company’s founder, Richard Liu, JD.com plans to accelerate its overseas ventures, with emphasis on strengthening its footprint in Europe and exploring new sectors, such as food delivery and travel booking.

    What are JD.com’s intentions regarding stablecoin licenses?
    JD.com plans to acquire stablecoin licenses in countries with major currencies. The initiative aims to streamline foreign exchange transactions between international corporations, reducing the cost of cross-border payments by up to 90% and boosting efficiency to within 10 seconds.