Hospitality News

Panda Holds PACE with Suppliers to Tackle Global Inflation

Published

3 years ago

January 26, 2023

admin

Panda Retail Company held its first annual event for suppliers: “PACE” (Panda Annual Collaborative Event), at The Venue Jeddah Corniche Hotel. PACE focused on empowering people to live a better life, discussing the local and international impacts of inflation, and finding solutions to ensure consumers are protected from the worst inflationary effects.

Inflation and food security

The CEO of Panda Retail Company, Dr. Bander Talaat Hamooh, confirmed the importance of establishing the “PACE” event, which comes as an extension of the support provided by wise leadership to find practical solutions and facilitate better customer experience in the retail sector. Dr. Hamooh was grateful for the submission of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Muhammad bin Salman, for a number of initiatives that contribute to reducing the effects of inflation on consumers in the Kingdom.

He added that Panda played a strong part in the “Ma tegla alik” campaign launched by the Federation of Saudi Chambers in collaborative with the Chambers of Commerce to provide basic food commodities at reduced prices, including over 40 basic items such as chicken, eggs, rice, milk, oils, meat, and others.

Hamooh said “as an extension of government initiatives, Panda Retail Company launched an innovative campaign entitled “Thabatn’aha”, to reduce and fix the prices of more than 300 commodities in all its branches around the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, assisting families in an economical consumer experience, in addition to providing solutions that ensure a more efficient shopping experience.”

He added, “The company is working with its strategic suppliers for practical solutions to absorb the effects of global inflation on customers so that they do not feel its repercussions and effects, which confirms its national duty, based on being the leading and most widespread chain of stores in the Kingdom.”

Supporting local industries

Among the main topics discussed at the “PACE” event was the importance of supporting national industries to strengthen the Saudi national economy. Panda Retail Company was keen to support the “Made in Saudi Arabia” program launched by His Highness the Crown Prince in March 2021, which is a national initiative affiliated with the Saudi Export Development Authority, and emanating from the National Industry Development and Logistics program (NIDLP). The program aims to stimulate national industries, encourage consumers to buy local commodities and develop the Kingdom’s exports to global markets.

Panda is one of the Kingdom’s large retail stores that dedicated branches and e-commerce to display national commodities conforming to the “Saudi Made” identity in order to increase the pride and loyalty levels by directing the purchasing power toward them through the “Made in Saudi Arabia” program, and through the marketing and promotional efforts that succeeded in increasing the value and status of national products in local markets.

Panda plays an important role in empowering people to live a better life, in line with the objectives of the “Quality of Life” program, one of the most important programs of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 which Panda has been proactively supporting since its launch by facilitating points of sales for SMEs to market their products in all its branches in the Kingdom.

Digitization and customer experience

The “PACE” event demonstrated Panda Company’s efforts in implementing a number of projects in the “Reformulating the Concept of Shopping” program, to keep pace with the world’s accelerated digital transformation in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which will reflect positively on sustainable development and create a competitive climate for customers’ best interests.

Panda now has highly innovative efficiency in improving customer experience, whether through the design of its branches spread across the Kingdom or through a digital entertainment shopping industry. This has resulted in massive transformation of rapid and unprecedented technological innovation and has been reflected in customer interaction providing distinctive shopping experiences as well as an improvement in customer purchasing habits.

By organizing the “PACE” event, Panda strengthened its role in redefining the retail customer experience, which contributes to achieving its vision of sustainable leadership in the retail market based on a creative approach to gaining customers’ trust, as well as sharing its positive view on the national economy.

Hospitality

LADURÉE CROWNED BEST CAFÉ AT THE BBC GOOD FOOD MIDDLE EAST AWARDS 202

Published

21 hours ago

January 30, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Ladurée team receiving the Best Café award on stage at the BBC Good Food Middle East Awards 2025, holding the trophy beside the official winner backdrop

The iconic Parisian tea room is recognised for culinary excellence and refined dining across the UAE

Ladurée, the iconic Parisian maison celebrated for its French pâtisserie and refined dining, has been awarded Best Café at the BBC Good Food Middle East Awards 2025. One of its Dubai Mall locations has been recognized as a standout destination among the city’s finest dining experiences.

Founded in 1862 on Rue Royale in Paris, Ladurée brings over 160 years of French culinary heritage to the UAE. From its beginnings as an intimate Parisian tea room to its evolution into a globally renowned maison, the brand has remained synonymous with elegance, craftsmanship, and classic French flavours—both sweet and savoury.

Ladurée has firmly established itself as a restaurant-led concept, offering far more than a traditional café experience. With a strong presence across the UAE, including its flagship restaurant at Dubai Mall Fashion Avenue and its elegant tea room at Mall of the Emirates, each venue offers guests an immersive and refined dining experience through a carefully curated expression of French indulgence. Iconic macarons are complemented by refined savoury classics, all executed with the meticulous attention to detail that defines the maison.

Globally recognised for its signature macarons, Ladurée continues to honour recipes perfected over generations. The menu also features beloved classics such as the iconic French toast, the Ladurée club sandwich, and comforting French dishes that reflect the brand’s culinary depth and savoir-faire.

The Best Café title for 2025 builds on Ladurée’s continued recognition by the BBC Good Food Middle East Awards, following its nominations for Best Café and Best Casual Dining Restaurant in 2024, reinforcing its consistent excellence in the region’s competitive dining landscape.

“This recognition reflects the hard work and discipline of our restaurant teams in the UAE, who bring Parisian heritage to life in every detail. From impeccable consistency to an unwavering commitment to quality, their efforts ensure that every guest experience upholds the maison’s standard of excellence,” said Kieran Mallon, CEO of the F&B Division at Scope Investment.

As of January 2026, Ladurée proudly holds the title of Best Café, reinforcing its status as a leading destination for authentic French cuisine and sophisticated café culture in the UAE.

Hospitality

LADURÉE TURNS VALENTINE’S GIFTING INTO A WINNING AFFAIR WITH PARIS FLIGHTS HIDDEN INSIDE EVERY MACARON BOX

Published

1 day ago

January 30, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Ladurée Valentine’s macaron gift boxes displayed on a pink background, featuring heart-shaped pink macarons, branded pastel boxes, and delicate floral ribbon accents.

Ladurée elevates Valentine’s Day gifting with a luxury-led campaign where every macaron box from its Valentine’s collection includes a Love Ticket with a guaranteed prize. Available across three curated box options, each purchase unlocks an instant reward ranging from exclusive Ladurée in-store experiences such as afternoon tea or signature treats, to luxury prizes, including return flight tickets to Paris for two, redeemable anytime in 2026.

Love is in the details, and this year, Ladurée celebrates it where it beats strongest: Paris, the city of love. Bold, sweet, and unapologetically luxurious, the limited-edition Valentine’s collection, illustrated by Guillaume Sardin, invites you to savor life and macarons with audacity.

What’s on the menu for love:

Heart-Shaped Macaron Caramel Ginger Black Tea | 15 AED
Macaron Gift Boxes:
- 8 Macarons | 158 AED15 Macarons | 289 AED
Valentine French Toast | 72 AED Brioche, raspberry lychee jam, rose Chantilly, chocolate hearts, and macaron powder
Valentine Gift hamper | Starting from 599 AED, Macarons, chocolates, and marshmallow teddy bears tailored for your beloved

Valentine cake for 2 | Priced 119 AED, A romantic, heart-shaped creation featuring a delicate rose macaron shell, layered with rose buttercream, fresh lychee and raspberry. Finished with a handwritten chocolate love note, this elegant dessert is perfectly sized for two ideal for Valentine’s Day gifting or sharing.

Whether gifting, indulging, or simply celebrating life’s sweetest moments, Ladurée Dubai turns Valentine’s Day into an unforgettable luxury experience. Because love, like a perfect macaron, is meant to be bold, beautiful, and utterly irresistible. Available exclusively in the UAE and KSA.

Hospitality

IFTAR AT PURANI DILLI – SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD, FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON

Published

1 day ago

January 30, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Ramadan Iftar dessert display at PURANI DILLI featuring dates, dried fruits, traditional sweets, brass bowls, crescent moon décor, palm plants and mosque-inspired centrepiece.

Celebrate the holy month with an indulgent Ramadan Iftar at Purani Dilli, Sheikh Zayed Road, featuring a thoughtfully curated buffet that brings together authentic North Indian flavours with Arabic and Moroccan inspirations. The menu highlights include traditional Ramadan juices and dates, comforting soups, flavourful kebabs, signature curries, slow-cooked meats, freshly baked breads, and an extensive selection of classic and Middle Eastern desserts.

Crafted by Head Chef Mohammad Afzal Qureshi, the Iftar experience reflects culinary authenticity, balance, and festive generosity, making it ideal for family gatherings and corporate Iftars.