KARACHI — The 5th Pakistan Future of Retail Summit & Expo (FOR 2025) brought together the country’s top minds from the retail and real estate sectors at Karachi’s Movenpick Hotel, where discussions centered around the future of commerce in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
With the theme “Retail in a Changing World: Building Resilience in Pakistan’s Commerce,” the event focused on how technology, innovation, and sustainability are reshaping the retail experience. The summit featured prominent business leaders, experts, and industry professionals exploring key topics such as omnichannel retail, fintech, artificial intelligence, and shifting consumer behavior patterns.
Representing IMARAT Group were Chairman Shafiq Akbar, Group Director Sharjeel Ehmar, Leasing Director Imran Farooq Bhatti, GM of Mall Operations Amir Malik, Director of Projects & Development Asim Ullah Khan, and Usama Khan. Their participation underscored IMARAT’s growing influence in Pakistan’s real estate-driven retail ecosystem.
In his keynote address, Chairman Shafiq Akbar shared the IMARAT Group’s forward-looking vision for transforming Pakistan’s retail and real estate landscape. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between developers, retailers, and technology platforms to build modern, customer-centric environments.
“Retail is evolving rapidly; the physical and digital must merge seamlessly,” Akbar noted. “At IMARAT, we are not only building malls but crafting integrated experiential ecosystems with Graana.com serving as our real estate technology backbone.”
He also touched upon the economic challenges currently affecting Pakistan’s retail industry, including inflation and supply chain issues, stressing that stronger partnerships and innovative thinking are crucial for growth and sustainability.
Throughout the summit, IMARAT’s leadership took part in various panel discussions. Imran Farooq Bhatti explored leasing strategies in a multi-channel market, Amir Malik discussed operational innovations in mall management, while Asim Ullah Khan spoke about project development and the group’s alignment with emerging retail formats. Sharjeel Ehmar and Usama Khan shed light on the role of property technology and data analytics in driving tenant success and enhancing customer engagement.
Industry experts agreed that Pakistan’s retail model is transitioning from traditional, footfall-based formats to more experience-driven spaces. The discussion highlighted the growing role of digital payments, logistics integration, and sustainable design in meeting modern consumer demands.
IMARAT’s active role at FOR 2025 reaffirmed its position as a key player in retail-oriented real estate. The group continues to invest in cutting-edge mall developments and digital solutions that connect property, technology, and retail operations. Through Graana.com, IMARAT is advancing real estate integration by using analytics, leasing insights, and tenant engagement tools to elevate the overall retail experience.
Despite ongoing economic challenges, participants at the summit expressed optimism about the sector’s potential. The conversations made it clear that innovation, adaptability, and customer experience will define the next chapter of Pakistan’s retail journey. IMARAT’s presence at the summit reflected its firm commitment to leading that transformation not just by building malls, but by creating connected, data-driven spaces that represent the future of commerce in Pakistan.
