The awards won include the RLI Global Retailer of the Year Award bestowed by Retail & Leisure International (RLI) and Best Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Retail Brand awarded by the Middle East Council of Shopping Centres & Retailers (MECS+R). Considered one of the most prestigious events in the global retail calendar, the RLI Awards were presented at a glittering ceremony hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Giordano received the Highly Commended Global Retailer of the Year award in the presence of over 250 distinguished peers, including international retailers, shopping mall developers and operators . The global retailer of the year awards solidified Giordano’s position as a world-class operator across all facets of its business, delivering exceptional retail experiences, growth, and innovative change to reflect evolving industry trends. Based in London, RLI is the only global magazine dedicated to the retail and leisure sectors, conferring awards across 18 categories. Commenting on the win, Ishwar Chugani, CEO and Managing Director of Giordano Middle East, said: “I am delighted that the Giordano retail experience in the Middle East has received such prestigious international recognition. This award is an affirmation of our unrelenting drive to create a unique and innovative shopping experience and offer exceptional product quality to our customers and the wider community”. He concluded, “It’s an honour to be recognised at the RLI and MECSC-R awards once again – the accolade reflects not only Giordano’s successful growth in the face of the challenges posed by the pandemic, but also the tireless effort and perseverance of our staff across the region in enhancing our customers’ experiences through great service”. At the equally esteemed MECS+R 2022 awards held at the Ritz Carlton in Dubai, Giordano was awarded the coveted Best Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Retail Brand Gold Award. Presented at a packed awards ceremony attended by over 400 regional and international retail and shopping mall owners and professionals , the 2022 MENA awards identify and honour the shopping centres, retailers and individuals that have demonstrated an unparalleled ability to succeed, continually set standards of excellence, and implement innovation and creativity throughout the industry. Following his return from attending events in Riyadh, Giordano Executive Director and Head of Overseas Market Development, Mark Loynd, said: “MECS+R is considered the voice of the retail industry for retailers, mall owners and all retail professionals in the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. The awards are particularly meaningful as it acknowledges the Group’s market expansion efforts in Africa over the last few years, especially in the face of adversity due to the pandemic”. He further stated, “Over the past 3 years, we have successfully penetrated South Africa, Mauritius, Kenya, Ghana and Egypt, and we are also in active negotiations with potential partners in Tunisia and Algeria. Hopefully, this award will signal further success for Giordano in north Africa and beyond”.