Steve Royston

The People and Events That Mattered in 2012: My Choice

The People and Events That Mattered in 2012: My Choice

STEVE ROYSTON: It’s by no means scientific or representative but here are the people and special moments that resonated with me this year

 Alexander McNabb

Qatar’s Villaggio: No Whitewashing of the Truth

Qatar’s Villaggio: No Whitewashing of the Truth

ALEXANDER MCNABB: Qatar’s authorities are under pressure to act and the arrest of two major public figures is an interesting development

 Susie of Arabia

Shopping in The Kingdom: Hell Just Got Warmer

Shopping in The Kingdom: Hell Just Got Warmer

SUSIE OF ARABIA: One of the largest retail conglomerates has just introduced a ‘no returns’ policy in Saudi Arabia. Cue mass rage

 David Westley

Audio: UBS, Rogue Trading and the Vickers Report

Audio: UBS, Rogue Trading and the Vickers Report

DAVID WESTLEY, BUSINESS BREAKFAST: Thursday’s announcement of a ‘loss’ of $2 bn (Dh7.35 billion) in “unauthorised trading” at UBS’ Delta One desk was spectacularly timed…

 The View From Fez

Moroccan Souks Under Threat: Retail Boom Bites

Moroccan Souks Under Threat: Retail Boom Bites

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: The big boys from Europe are moving aggressively into the Moroccan retail space and they’re squeezing the profit margins of souk operators.

 Alexander McNabb

Sticker Scratcher

Sticker Scratcher

Quite properly, the UAE insists that products sold to consumers here are labelled in Arabic – the national language. However, once again, there is trouble in paradise.