All episodes

In this episode of Commerce Talks with Alexander Graf, I sit down with Sadeq Abdulrasool, co-founder and Chief Digital Officer of Homiez, Bahrain's largest non-food marketplace. Recorded at the Seamless Sounds podcast booth in Riyadh, we delve into the unique business landscape of Bahrain, often dubbed the "mini Dubai." Sadeq shares insights into how Homiez navigated its journey from a broad-spectrum marketplace to focusing on electronics, household appliances, and cosmetics. We discuss Bahrain's pioneering role in fintech and digital innovation, and how COVID-19 accelerated online commerce. Sadeq also reveals the challenges and strategies behind scaling Homiez, including their agile approach...

In this episode of Commerce Talks with Alexander Graf, I sit down with Mamoun Hmedan, Chief Business Officer of Wego, to explore how this online marketplace is revolutionizing travel in the GCC, Middle East, North Africa, India, Pakistan, and Southeast Asia. We delve into Wego's business model, which offers a one-stop shop for flights and hotels, allowing users to compare prices and book directly or through partners. Mamoun shares insights on the unique travel behaviors in the region, Wego's growth strategies, and how they navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also discuss their innovative approach to customer service...

Join me, Alexander Graf, in episode #126 of Commerce Talks as I dive into the personalized shopping revolution for men with Mahmoud Gao, founder of Mr. Draper. Recorded at the Seamless Conference in Riyadh, this episode explores how Mr. Draper is transforming the shopping experience for men in the Middle East. Mahmoud shares his journey from strategy consultant to entrepreneur, detailing how his company uses a blend of human stylists and algorithms to curate personalized fashion boxes. With over 50,000 customers and plans to expand into Saudi Arabia, Mr. Draper is poised to redefine retail. We also discuss the challenges...

In this episode of Commerce Talks with Alexander Graf, I sit down with Chrissina Tonks from International Diplomatic Supplies (IDS) to explore the unique world of diplomatic commerce. Chrissina shares insights into IDS's niche market, providing duty-free goods to diplomats across the globe, particularly in challenging regions like the Middle East and Africa. We discuss the company's growth journey, including the shift from traditional sales to a digital-first strategy, and the complexities of catering to both B2B and B2C audiences. Chrissina also highlights the challenges of managing multiple e-commerce sites and the importance of leveraging data for customer engagement. Join...

In this episode of Commerce Talks with Alexander Graf, I sit down with Salah Yamout, Chief Operating Officer of Arabian Automobile Co., to explore the path to becoming a market leader in automobile digital commerce. Salah shares insights into the unique sales model in the UAE, where Arabian Automobiles operates as a national sales company, managing both the upper and lower sales funnels. We discuss the importance of digitalization, data analytics, and customer journey optimization, which have helped them achieve a significant market share for Nissan in the region. Tune in to learn how they leverage technology to enhance customer...

In episode #123 of Commerce Talks with Alexander Graf, I sit down with Johannes Rastas, Head of Services and Solutions R&D at KONE, to explore the fascinating world of elevators and urban mobility. We delve into KONE's mission to enhance urban life by ensuring seamless and safe micro-journeys for over 1 billion people daily. Johannes shares insights into KONE's global operations, highlighting their leadership in new equipment and modernization markets. We discuss the evolving role of technology in optimizing people flow and the potential for digital platforms to revolutionize the elevator experience. From energy savings to tailored advertising, discover how...

In this episode of Commerce Talks with Alexander Graf, I sit down with Cathy Hackl, the Chief Futurist at Journey, to delve into the fascinating realms of the Metaverse and Web3. Cathy shares her insights on how the Metaverse represents the next evolution of the internet, blending physical and digital experiences. We discuss successful virtual worlds like Roblox and gaming economies that surpass Hollywood in value. Cathy also highlights innovative projects such as Walmart Land and Amazon Anywhere, showcasing how brands are creatively engaging with virtual spaces. We explore the challenges and potential of platforms like Facebook's Horizon and Apple's...

At Seamless Middle East, we spoke with Adam Docrat, Head of IT at Aster Pharmacy and Aster Retail. Aster is a hugely significant player in the pharmaceutical market in the Middle East, and it is now setting its sights on expansion into the health and well-being sectors.
Adam discusses how they are approaching that sector while also explaining the world of pharmaceuticals and the future of medicine delivery and revealing how Aster uses e-commerce.