Farhan Naeem’s Post

So, today was the day I finally attended my very first Chainstore Association of Pakistan (CAP)`s Future of Retail business summit & expo at PC Lahore. To my surprise, it turned out to be an incredibly insightful event. Just after the first half, I had one major realization—I KNOW NOTHING ! Here’s a quick recap of the speakers whose talks I really enjoyed at the event ; Asfandyar Farrukh is on a mission! He dove into how fashion retailers are taxed unfairly and called for government support. He’s all about taking Pakistani fashion brands global. He showed this powerful video called “"عزت کے جزیرے"” about malls, which totally resonated with the crowd. Shafiq Akbar this guy blew our minds by revealing that only 0.5% of Pakistan’s housing is properly planned. He emphasized that urban planning is exactly what Pakistan needs, and how using real estate data to guide decisions could inject a staggering $20-40 billion into our economy. Alex Andarakis highlighted that while Pakistani retailers have big ambitions, they often don’t have the right behavior and attitude or approach to achieve them. He pointed out that they tend to lack strategic decision-making and are more focused on short-term goals rather than long-term success. Yahya Khan he’s launching a branded debit card of brands that will work across multiple platforms, almost like a loyalty card but way cooler! Raffaella Campagnoli she made a strong case for the importance of SMEs, explaining that 90% of businesses globally are SMEs, contributing 50% to the world’s GDP. It really opened my eyes to how critical it is to build a strong ecosystem. Odisseas Trikaliotis his short but sweet talk on customer experience had some great, funny examples. It left everyone thinking about how we can better serve our customers. Usman Barkat he highlighted how AI and data are the future for retailers, making decision-making a lot easier and smarter. Farhan Mallick Farhan hit home with one simple truth—every brand has a story, and it’s our job to tell it, no matter how “boring” we think our brand is. I also had an amazing hearing of fireside chat hearing Mujtaba Khan and his wife, the co-founders of LAMA retail, share their lighthearted startup story was a nice touch too! But the person who truly inspired me the most was Asfandyar Farrukh ! This guy was all over the place, taking care of even the tiniest details with so much energy and attention! His simplicity really left an impression on me. Honestly, I see him as the fractional chairperson of CAP. Big shout-out to TerraBiz for hosting such a stellar event full of insights and inspiration. Until next time… God bless everyone! #RetailRevolution #LeadershipMatters #PakistaniBrands #GlobalAmbition #Inspiration #BusinessGrowth #SMEImpact #AIandData #CustomerExperience #FashionRetail #UrbanPlanning #LearningJourney #PakistanEconomy #FutureIsBright #EventHighlights

In a world often obsessed with wealth and power, true greatness is found in service and humanity. Ratan #Tata is a prime example of personal #brand power—someone who didn’t just build an empire but added real value to the community. An Australian journalist once asked an Indian delegate, “Was the man who passed away a king or ruler, that the entire nation mourns him?” The reply was simple: “No, he ruled hearts, not politics, but through service.” A few years ago, I asked an Indian businessman, “How do you compare Mukesh Ambani with Ratan Tata?” Without hesitation, he said, “There is no comparison—one is the earth, the other is the sky. One is a candle, the other, the sun.” His company, founded with a humble sum of 20,000 rupees, is now a global empire, generating $165 billion in revenue. But beyond business success, it is Tata’s philanthropy, humility, and service that define him. Despite his immense accomplishments, Ratan Tata realized that wealth alone does not bring lasting happiness. He found his true joy when he visited a center for disabled children, witnessing their happiness when he brought them wheelchairs. One child’s words deeply impacted him: “I want to remember your face so that I can thank you in heaven.” This moment transformed Tata’s perspective on life—he realized that real fulfillment comes from helping others, not accumulating wealth. His legacy is one of service, a lesson for young professionals: #success is not measured by money but by the positive change you bring to others’ lives. #Leadership #BusinessEthics #RatanTata #ServiceAboveSelf #Inspiration #Entrepreneurship #Philanthropy #TrueSuccess #YoungProfessionals #BusinessLeadership #SuccessMindset #Legacy #Humanity

Having worked with fashion retail brands for nearly two decades, and now offering them fractional brand consultancy on a modest scale, I’ve observed that many of their key challenges tend to be the same. A lot of effort is spent trying to address these issues. However, in my humble opinion, if they shift their focus from operational tactics to a stronger emphasis on brand strategy, they could achieve much more peace of mind and success through a more strategic approach. The challenges of Pakistan's fashion retail industry : E-commerce, Retail Sales and Inventory Management are where the real battles are being fought. Some of the key hurdles: 1. #Ecommerce Struggles : Poor online platforms, inconsistent delivery, and cash-on-delivery risks make growth difficult. 2. #Retail Saturation : Major cities are overcrowded with similar brands, leading to intense competition and pricing pressure. 3. #Inventory Management : Stockouts, overstocking, and supply chain delays create bottlenecks for brands. 4. #Macroeconomic Pressures : Rising costs, inflation, and currency depreciation squeeze margins. 5. #Consumer Behavior : Price-sensitive customers and low brand loyalty make it tough to build a strong following. #FashionRetail #EcommerceChallenges #RetailOptimization #InventoryManagement #BusinessGrowth #PakistanFashion

From 2018-2023, key trends have reshaped Pakistan’s luxury sector. Here’s a quick overview: #Apparel:    - 25% annual online growth     - Overall segment plateauing  #LeatherGoods:    - 18% annual growth     - High ASPs and margins, with handbags and footwear leading  #BeautyandWellness:    - 35% annual growth     - Driven by premium skincare and grooming products  #ExperientialLuxury:    - 25% increase in luxury travel bookings post-pandemic    - Shift from material goods to memorable experiences  #Sustainability:    - 15% of consumers prioritize eco-friendly, ethical brands     - Ethical luxury is gaining momentum  #DigitalLuxury:    - 22% annual growth in e-commerce  - Social media is transforming luxury shopping habits  The Pakistani luxury market may be smaller, but it’s vibrant and evolving fast! Beauty, leather goods, experiential luxury, and sustainability are shaping the future of personal luxury spending in Pakistan. #LuxuryMarket #PakistanTrends #DigitalLuxury #SustainableFashion #ExperientialLuxury #BeautyAndWellness #LeatherGoods #EcommerceGrowth #FutureOfLuxury #PakistaniLuxury

The fashion retail industry in Pakistan has been too focused on e-commerce, supply chain, and inventory challenges, often neglecting a critical element: brand audits. Many brands fail to understand how they're perceived by customers, leading to misaligned brand identity and lost customer loyalty. In a market as competitive and diverse as Pakistan, overlooking a brand audit is a costly mistake. Without regular audits, brands miss out on crucial consumer insights, fail to maintain brand consistency, and often fall behind in reputation management and sustainability. It's time for fashion retailers to wake up—ignoring brand perception is a fast track to irrelevance. #BrandAudit #FashionRetail #CustomerLoyalty #BrandConsistency #RetailStrategy #FashionIndustry #PakistanFashion #Branding #ConsumerBehavior #Sustainability

When humanity is at stake, let every platform be a voice for it! A year later, Gaza is no longer just a 41-kilometer-long and 6 to 12-kilometer-wide strip of land; it has transformed into a bloody scar across the world's conscience. Imagine if, over the course of a year, enough explosives to match the power of four atomic bombs like the one dropped on Hiroshima. What would be left standing? Who would survive? Even during the world wars, Vietnam, Iraq, or Afghanistan, no such small area has ever faced such intense bombardment in such a short time. In the past year, 2% of Gaza’s population has perished. Over 100,000 are injured, and as many as those who have died are missing. It’s believed that many are buried beneath the rubble, reduced to bones, or perhaps have become food for scavenging animals. Countless children were born only to die within hours—victims of bombs, bullets, or explosions. Why were they even born, one might wonder? According to Israel’s military records, all of them, whether alive or unborn, are labeled as terrorists. In this past year, Gaza has had no water, electricity, or fuel. There are no intact hospitals, clinics, schools, libraries, government buildings, or museums. Shops, trees, and fields have vanished. There is no escape, no food to eat, and not a single shelter that can be deemed safe. 80% of mosques, churches, and 40% of cemeteries have been reduced to rubble. Logically, by now, the entire population of Gaza should have perished. Yet, out of 2.3 million people, 2.2 million continue to breathe. This survival is nothing short of a living miracle. Perseverance, thy other name is Palestine. #standwithpalestine #humanityfirst #justiceforpalestine #peaceforall #voicesforpeace #supportpalestine

Brand strategy and Vision are not be the biggest focus for many Pakistani fashion retail brands right now. Their real challenges are in the day-to-day operations—e-commerce, inventory management, and retail optimization. These are the areas which are giving these businesses a tough time, and their teams are working hard to find solutions that will drive long-term success. #fashionretail #ecommercechallenges #inventorymanagement #retailoptimization #pakistanfashion #businessgrowth

Colas—promising happiness and quenching our thirst, but are they really? Or are they adding to our health problems? Processed foods, whether from big chains or various brands—are they truly enhancing the well-being of their consumers? Even home-delivered food services—are they benefiting the health of their customers in the long run? Outdoor advertising (OOH)—what real value does it contribute to the community? And same-day delivery—are we overlooking the environmental impact and the pollution it brings? Fashion brands, too—many seem more focused on increasing sales and managing taxes than on advising customers to avoid unnecessary purchases or improving their service. These are just a few examples where, in the name of economic growth and convenience, we may actually be harming the broader fabric of society. While a few thousand people benefit, millions are indirectly affected. Unfortunately, with our business models rooted in capitalism, our key performance indicators (KPIs), marketing, and advertising follow suit—and agencies are selling these ideals. I hope the next event of MADsemble by PAS and Pakistan Advertisers Society will spotlight truly sustainable brands in various categories and explore the unique challenges they face in advertising and marketing their products with integrity. #Sustainability #ConsciousConsumerism #MarketingWithPurpose #EnvironmentalImpact #HealthAndWellness #FashionRevolution #ResponsibleBusiness #SustainableBrands #MADSAMBLE #BusinessForGood #FutureOfAdvertising #SocialImpact

On October 2nd, 1187, a historic Friday, Remarkably, this day also coincided with the night of Isra and Mi'raj. Jerusalem was handed over to the Muslims not through bloodshed, but after a peaceful negotiation between Christian leaders and #Salahuddin. The city's residents were allowed to leave freely upon paying a ransom. For those who could not afford it, Salahuddin and his brother Saifuddin personally paid their dues, freeing thousands. Many were even released without ransom at the request of former Christian rulers. Historian Jonathan Phillips notes in his book "The Life and Legend of Sultan Saladin" that the Christian residents feared the worst, but instead witnessed the Sultan's renowned mercy. Despite concerns for their safety, especially women, Salahuddin showed exceptional kindness. He neither sold them nor handed them over to his soldiers, as expected of a conqueror. Salahuddin shattered the brutal expectations that arose from the city's past, earning him a heroic status in Europe centuries later, despite once being labeled "bloodthirsty" and "spawn of the devil." In stark contrast to the Crusaders’ conquest of Jerusalem in 1099, which left streets filled with bodies and spared neither men, women, nor children, Salahuddin's victory was marked by humanity. His challenge did not end with the city's capture; Salahuddin knew that the Christian world, shocked by the loss of Jerusalem, would attempt to reclaim it. Over the next five years, during the Third Crusade, European kings led a failed attempt to retake the city. Despite the intense propaganda portraying him as a villain, they returned home with a vastly different view of the Sultan—one of respect and admiration that endures to this day. #salahuddinayubi #jerusalem #leadership #mercy #history #legacy #gaza #lebanon #beirut #middleeast #peace

JULKÉ , a renowned luxury brand specializing in women's footwear and premium leather accessories, is gearing up for the launch of its new store at Dolmen Mall, Lahore. They are looking for passionate and experienced individuals to join them on their exciting journey! 🔹 Positions Available: 1. Shop Manager Qualification: Minimum Bachelor's degree Experience: 5-7 years in a similar role (preferably in footwear) 2. Assistant Shop Manager Qualification: Minimum Intermediate Experience: 3-5 years in a similar role 3. Sales Advisor Qualification: Minimum Matric Experience: 3-5 years in a similar role 📍 Location: Dolmen Mall, Lahore 📩 Interested candidates can send their resumes to: info@julke.pk or contact 0321-8889767 Tahir Ahmed Join JULKÉ and be a part of luxury retail journey! #CareerOpportunities #LuxuryRetail #JULKÉ #LahoreJobs #FootwearFashion #RetailCareers #JobOpening #HiringNow #JoinOurTeam #StoreManager #SalesAdvisor #AssistantManager #RetailJobs #FashionIndustry #DolmenMall