Scaling Retail Execution with People + Technology | Abbas Ali, Channel Play Middle East |Dawdle.live

Описание: In this powerful conversation, Abbas Ali, Co-founder of Channel Play Middle East and a veteran with 25 years across staffing, field execution, and Middle East retail operations, joins Rishikesh for a deep dive into the realities of modern retail execution. Abbas explains how people, technology, compliance, training and real-time insights blend together to create a high-performance retail engine.

From solving execution challenges at scale across Saudi Arabia and the UAE to understanding how AI is transforming shelf visibility, stock management and merchandising accuracy, this episode offers highly practical guidance for leaders driving channel and retail performance.

🔹 Key Topics Covered

Abbas’s 25-year journey across staffing, retail, the Middle East market, and entrepreneurship

Why Channel Play was founded and the core problem it solves

Operational challenges brands face: visibility, compliance, talent quality & real-time insights

How AI converts daily reports into actionable insights

Why modern retail leaders must focus on outcomes, not just manpower

Real crisis examples from on-ground retail operations

India vs Middle East retail dynamics: similarities and unique challenges

How omnichannel, e-commerce growth and digital shopper journeys are reshaping field execution

Key KPIs brands now measure beyond sales: shelf share, OOS, RTV, compliance

Actionable steps to make channel execution data-driven and accountable

Chapters
00:00 — Introduction
00:11 — Abbas’s early career & journey into retail execution
01:57 — How Channel Play originated
02:59 — The need for people + tech in retail
04:12 — Core challenges brands face in-store
06:40 — How Channel Play solves them
07:37 — AI-driven insights: moving from dashboards to recommendations
08:51 — People + tech + market expertise
10:41 — Expansion into Middle East (UAE & KSA)
11:24 — India vs Middle East retail complexities
14:20 — Why tech is essential for scale and accountability
16:01 — Shift to KPI- & outcome-driven engagement
17:06 — Metrics that matter for brands
19:44 — Robotics, warehousing automation & future trends
20:45 — Scaling performance across thousands of outlets
22:16 — Real on-ground crisis handling examples
24:44 — E-commerce + omnichannel impact
27:13 — Retail activation: from kirana stores to malls
30:21 — What’s next for Channel Play
32:22 — Actionable advice for retail leaders
33:37 — Closing remarks

🎙️ About the Guest

Abbas Ali
Co-Founder, Channel Play Middle East
25 years across staffing, field operations, retail execution and GCC markets.

LinkedIn:   / abbasali2  

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