The Retail Podcast (Video Feed)9 Des 2025

How Place Vendôme Became a Top 3 Luxury Mall in the Middle East | Shane Eldstrom (CEO, United Developers)

In this episode, recorded at MAPIC in Cannes, we sit down with Shane Eldstrom, CEO of United Developers, the company behind Place Vendôme in Qatar – a project that has already become the #3 shopping centre for high-end fashion in the entire Middle East, just a few years after opening.

Shane breaks down what makes Qatar’s retail market so distinctive, how Place Vendôme has scaled from opening to regional leader, and what international brands need to know before entering the Middle East.

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-------- ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Cold open: Place Vendôme hits top 3 for luxury in the Middle East

00:19 – Welcome from MAPIC Cannes & intro to Shane Eldstrom

00:44 – Who are United Developers & what is Place Vendôme, Qatar?

01:11 – Why MAPIC? Learnings, innovation & global retail connections

01:41 – Is the Middle East one market? Busting the “single region” myth

01:59 – Qatar’s demographics, Doha, and World Cup–driven infrastructure

02:25 – Local luxury demand and what makes Qatar’s shoppers unique

02:42 – Opening on 15 April 2022 & Place Vendôme’s growth story

02:59 – Thinking of entering Qatar? What retailers should consider

03:35 – New ownership laws & direct entry for international brands

03:56 – The future of retail at Place Vendôme: service, authenticity, sustainability

04:35 – VIP lounge, social-media-powered styling & curated experiences

05:12 – Where to find more info on United Developers & Place Vendôme -------- #TheRetailPodcast #PlaceVendome #Qatar #RetailRealEstate #MAPIC #FashionTrustArabia #LuxuryRetail #MENA

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