Taking the Brands to a level above
Our Story
After years of working with some of the largest retailers and retail developments across the Middle East, and contributing to the growth of one of the region’s most successful retail consultancy firms, our Founder and CEO, Saad Athar, identified a persistent challenge within even the most mature retail markets. Despite the scale and diversity of destinations such as Dubai, many shopping malls and retail hubs continued to feature a repetitive mix of brands, while numerous high-potential international brands remained absent from the region.
Recognizing this opportunity, Saad established The Brands Hub (TBH) as a specialized retail expansion and market-entry platform under Ahmed Zaki Consultants & Advisors, with a clear mission: to bridge the gap between promising brands and untapped market opportunities across the GCC.
To bring this vision to life, a highly experienced leadership team was assembled. Narjis Batool, our Business Development Director, brings over 20 years of expertise in brand identification, positioning, and market placement. Salman, our COO & CFO, contributes more than 14 years of Middle East experience in business establishment, taxation, banking, HR, and corporate structuring.
Guiding the organization is our Chairman, Ahmed Bin Zaki, a Saudi entrepreneur and U.S.-educated MBA who owns and operates multiple businesses within the Kingdom. Throughout his distinguished career, he has held senior leadership positions within some of Saudi Arabia’s largest organizations, including overseeing human resources functions for workforces exceeding 40,000 employees.
Today, TBH combines deep regional knowledge, extensive commercial networks, and hands-on market expertise to help brands successfully Enter, Test, and Grow across the Middle East.
The Plan
Our offer and Modus operandi
The Brands Hub (TBH) is a specialized retail expansion and brand development platform operating under Ahmed Zaki Consultants & Advisors (AZCA). We are a team of experienced retail professionals dedicated to helping high-potential brands unlock new markets, strengthen their positioning, and achieve sustainable growth on an international scale.
Our approach goes far beyond traditional consulting. We carefully assess, analyze, test, benchmark, position, monitor, and manage brands to ensure they are strategically prepared for successful market entry and long-term commercial success. By combining market intelligence, operational expertise, and an extensive regional network, we help brands navigate the complexities of expansion with confidence.
We believe that many exceptional brands remain undiscovered despite having the quality, innovation, and potential to compete globally. Our mission is to identify these hidden gems and provide them with the platform, exposure, and support they deserve—while complementing, rather than competing with, established market leaders.
At TBH, we are more than advisors; we are growth partners. From initial market assessment and testing to retail placement, operational support, and business establishment, we work alongside our clients every step of the way. Our commitment is to ensure that your brand is positioned in front of the right customers, in the right locations, and with the right strategy. We remain by your side throughout the journey until your business is fully established and ready to operate independently with confidence.
Enter. Test. Grow.
Your gateway to successful retail expansion in the Middle East.
Our Retail Journey
With a seasoned experience of over a century, TBH is dedicated to assisting retailers in penetrating new markets and achieving unparalleled success.
At TBH, we combine our expertise to provide tailored solutions that drive growth, enhance brand visibility, and create lasting impacts for our clients.
Services
Market Entry
Global Expansion
With our global experience and analysis of consumer behavior and adaptability for decades, we understand the way to present a brand that will not only fit in the retail mainstream but will be accepted as the trend of the market. We will work closely with you through our assistance in entering new markets with strategic planning, market analysis, and customized approaches to ensure successful market penetration.
Brand Development
Enhanced Visibility
Brand development strategy is an art which is customized for each Brand, with a large number of options available in the market it becomes very critical that the brand is introduced, developed, positioned and introduced in the market with professionalism and accuracy, TBH is dedicated to enhancing brand identity, visibility, and customer engagement through targeted strategies that resonate with the target audience.
Retail Consultancy
Expert Guidance
Comprehensive consultancy services focusing on retail strategies, operational efficiencies, and customer experience enhancements. WE will work throughout your settlement journey and hold your hand till you believe that you can now fly off the nest and can manage the business independently. Till then, we will be providing you with a full suite of retail consultancy so that the business confidence remains there and you are able to settle down in the new environment at your pace.
How will it work
1
Engagement & Screening
Once the interest is registered with us, we will carry out the brand and ownership assessment to ensure that the brand is likely to fit the international market. This will involve the review of current stores, customer feedback, retail experience, organisation structure, supply chain, liquidity and the anticipated acceptance of the brand in the target market
2
Modus Operandi & Strategy
Once the brand qualifies through the screening stage, TBH team will carry out workshop along with the respective Brand's team to agree on the respective responsibilities by either party; this will include requirements such as Iqama & HR, Logistics & Storage, Finance & Admin, POS & Systems connectivity, POC from both sides and finally the SLA between TBH and the respective Brand.
3
Resources & Options
As the step 3 of the process, we will work closely with the brand to understand the brand requirements and their budgets available for the venture. This will give a fair idea on the positioning, Retail area requirement and the category of the mall required. With Our understanding ofthe market and the analysis of brand we will be in a position to advise on the required budget and positioning of the brand to ensure maximum return,
How will it work
4
Marketing & Promotion
On finalization of the location option, the fitout and marketing strategy will come into action, by studying the neighborhood demographics, purchasing power and the current performance of the mall we will take a call on the marketing strategy, where the decison will be taken on the support required from the mall as well as the efforts that will be needed at our end. The aim for each brand will be to have a flourishing start and have the maximum footfall from day one
5
Finance, Admin & HR
A comprehensive process flow will be in place for finance, admin, and HR. This process will ensure that the processes are in line with the respective group so that the performance review and monitoring should not be disturbed. The in-house ERP developed by TBH is compatible with adopting the reporting formats as required by any business. We will ensure that all the local regulations are taken care of. This will include local bookkeeping, VAT, and payroll submissions, along with ZATCA submissions.
6
Performance Review & Growth Strategy
As part of our commitment towards our clients on transparency, there will be a monthly, quarterly, half yearly and annual performance review along with the cash flow status. This will be on top of the daily monitoring of the online portal on which the sales will can be monitored on realtime basis.
On the basis of the brand performance, the growth startegy will be developed to decide for the new units opening or expading into other countries as the case maybe.
Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
WE pride ourselves for the team we have. We work as one unit and take our clients' issues personally. WE all work with full dedication and as one of the team members of the client we are here to guide, mentor, advise and of course learn from our respected clientele.
Each of our team member is not only have the experience in what they do but also has the expertise and proven track record in their respective field of responsibilities
Chairman
Ahmed Bin Zaki
Founder & CEO
Saad Athar
Business Development Director
Narjis Batool Kaxmi
Chief Operating Officer & Finance Director
Salman Khalid
Commercial Director
Yasir Al Doulatly
HR Lead
Lisa Driver
BRANDS AVAILABLE
Working With the Best
TBH specialises in South East Asian Fashion & Trends, the beauty of South East Asian Brands and Designers is the adaptability and fusion with the multiple cultures, be it European fashion or Middle Eastern trends. The brands we work with have proved their mettle in the Americas, Europe, and Australia, as well as in the Middle East – through our brands, we aim at bringing variety and choice to the Saudi culture and making it more colourful with vibrant Saudi fashion & trends.
We are continuously looking for the malls with whom we can partner and develop a rich consortium of brands.
Why not click on the button below and let us take you on the ride of colors, variety, trends and the fusion
LOCATIONS AVAILABLE
Working With the Best
Accessibility Statement
Accessibility statement
This statement was last updated on February 28, 2025,
We at THE BRANDS HUB are working to make our site www.thebrandshub-mena.com accessible to people with disabilities.
An accessible site allows visitors with disabilities to browse the site with the same or a similar level of ease and enjoyment as other visitors.
This can be achieved with the capabilities of the system on which the site is operating, and through assistive technologies.
We have adapted this site in accordance with WCAG 2.2 guidelines, and have made the site accessible to the level of A.
This site's contents have been adapted to work with assistive technologies, such as screen readers and keyboard use. As part of this effort, we have also Accessibility Wizard to find and fix potential accessibility issuesSet the language of the site Set the content order of the site’s pagesDefined clear heading structures on all of the site’s pagesAdd used alternative text to imagesImplemented color combinations that meet the required color contrast
Reduced the use of motion on the site Ensured all videos, audio, and files on the site are accessible
Declaration of partial compliance with the standard due to third-party content
The accessibility of certain pages on the site depend on contents that do not belong to the organization, and instead belong to other third parties (mainly shopping malls). The following pages are affected by this www,faisaliyamall.com
We therefore declare partial compliance with the standard for these pages.
Accessibility arrangements in the organization
The description can include all current accessibility arrangements - starting from the beginning of the service
Accessibility statement
This statement was last updated on [enter relevant date].
We at the brands hub are working to make our site, www.thebrandshub-mena.com, accessible to people with disabilities.
What web accessibility is
An accessible site allows visitors with disabilities to browse the site with the same or a similar level of ease and enjoyment as other visitors. This can be achieved with the capabilities of the system on which the site is operating, and through assistive technologies.
Accessibility adjustments on this site
We have adapted this site in accordance with WCAG 2.0 guidelines, and have made the site accessible to the level of A.
This site's contents have been adapted to work with assistive technologies, such as screen readers and keyboard use.
As part of this effort, we have also:
-
Used the Accessibility Wizard to find and fix potential accessibility issues
-
Set the language of the site
-
Set the content order of the site’s pages
-
Defined clear heading structures on all of the site’s pages
-
Ensured all videos, audio, and files on the site are accessible
Declaration of partial compliance with the standard due to third-party content
The accessibility of certain pages on the site depend on contents that do not belong to the organization, and instead belong to third.
We therefore declare partial compliance with the standard for these pages.
Accessibility arrangements in the organization
If you find an accessibility issue on the site, or if you require further assistance, you are welcome to contact us through the organization's accessibility coordinator:
Saad Athar
+966 548932427
Clients
Client Testimonials
Our clients speak highly of our services and the transformative impact we have had on their retail businesses.
TBH's expert guidance has revolutionized our market approach and boosted our sales significantly.
John Doe, CEO
The market entry support from TBH has been invaluable, leading to successful expansion and increased market share.
Jane Smith, CMO
TBH's consultancy services have streamlined our operations and enhanced our customer experience, resulting in improved brand loyalty.
David Wilson, COO