He noted that the growth of e-commerce and fast-delivery services has significantly transformed the market and intensified competition, requiring businesses to move beyond traditional approaches by enhancing the customer experience, improving operational efficiency, reducing waste, and using modern technologies and data analytics to support decision-making.
“Today’s consumer is looking for value, quality, and speed of service more than traditional marketing appeal, which requires the retail sector to be more flexible and responsive to market changes,” Al Hali said.
He added that the retail and food sectors are closely linked to daily economic activity, making adaptability essential to business stability and continuity. He highlighted the extensive experience of Bahraini businesses, which has helped maintain market stability and provide consumers with diverse choices despite economic challenges.
Al Hali noted that digital transformation has become a key driver of retail development. E-commerce in Bahrain reached approximately BHD 1.722 billion in 2025, compared with BHD 1.501 billion in 2024, recording 14.7% growth. The wholesale and retail trade sector also grew by 2.8% in 2024, underscoring the importance of strengthening businesses’ operational and technological capabilities.
He added that businesses should also explore opportunities for mergers and greater integration among medium-sized and large companies, where appropriate, to reduce operating costs, strengthen competitiveness, and improve efficiency and sustainability amid rising costs and rapidly changing markets.
In this regard, Al Hali affirmed that the Bahrain Chamber continues to support the development of commercial and service sectors. He noted that the restructuring of the sectoral committees during the current term aims to strengthen engagement with businesses, identify challenges and opportunities, and put forward recommendations to improve the business environment and enhance private sector competitiveness.
Al Hali stressed that businesses that fail to adapt to changing consumer behaviour and market conditions will face increasing challenges in maintaining their market share. He concluded that future success will depend on innovation, customer-focused services, technology adoption, and stronger public-private sector cooperation to capitalize on emerging opportunities and support sustainable growth.
