Millennium Hotels, Taiba relaunch two properties in Madinah

Updated 31 sec ago

Arab News

August 10, 2025 21:55

Millennium Hotels and Resorts Middle East and Africa, in partnership with Taiba, a Saudi hospitality company, has announced the relaunch of two iconic properties in the heart of Madinah: Millennium Al-Aqeeq and Millennium Taiba.

Strategically located close to the Prophet’s Mosque, both properties offer a spiritually enriching stay experience for Umrah pilgrims, families, and travelers seeking premium comfort rooted in Islamic hospitality.

“These properties are more than key assets in our portfolio — they are landmarks of faith, connection, and culture,” said Ali Hamad Lakhraim Al-Zaabi, president of Millennium Hotels MEA. “Our partnership with Taiba ensures that every guest, whether a pilgrim, traveler, or visitor, is welcomed with a seamless, enriching experience rooted in the values of Islamic hospitality and cultural reverence.”

Following an extensive enhancement of service and guest touchpoints, the hotels will offer upgraded digital booking services, enhanced dining concepts, and customized hospitality for religious travelers.

Sultan Bader Al-Otaibi, CEO of Taiba, said: “This strategic relaunch embodies our shared vision with Millennium Hotels and Resorts Middle East and Africa, to deliver world-class hospitality experiences that honor the spiritual significance of Madinah. At Taiba, we recognize the profound responsibility that comes with serving pilgrims and visitors to one of Islam’s holiest sites.

“Through this partnership, we are raising the standard of religious hospitality, seamlessly blending comfort, reverence, and service excellence. This initiative is a key milestone in our broader commitment to supporting the goals of ��’s Vision 2030, particularly in positioning the Kingdom as a leading global destination for religious tourism.”

Nestlé Academy concludes 7th training program in partnership with BinDawood

Updated 10 August 2025

Arab News

August 10, 2025 16:04

Nestlé Academy concludes 7th training program in partnership with BinDawood

Updated 10 August 2025

Arab News

August 10, 2025 16:04

Nestlé �� and BinDawood Holding concluded the 7th edition of the Nestlé Academy Specialized Training Program with the graduation of 38 trainees after four weeks of intensive training, The graduation ceremony was held in Jeddah in the presence of Waleed bin Dawood, chief commercial officer of BinDawood Holding, and Bassel Moghrabi, Nestlé’s director of sales for ��, Bahrain and Oman.

The training program witnessed a field visit by representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources. Representatives of the two ministries observed the trainees’ hands-on experience, as well as provided training sessions that enriched the knowledge content of the participants and expanded their awareness of the role of these entities in supporting the food sector.

This edition stood out through a strategic partnership with one of Nestlé’s key clients, BinDawood Holding, a leading retail company with over 100 branches across the Kingdom.

The program lasted four weeks, three of them were dedicated to training at Nestlé’s headquarters in Jeddah, and included workshops and educational classes on the basics of sales in the labor market, workshops on developing communication and sales skills as a key pillar of the success of any business, in addition to field visits to Nestlé warehouses and supermarkets, and practical applications, which contributed to enhancing practical as well as theoretical knowledge.

One week of training was conducted with BinDawood Holding, where an integrated field schedule was prepared that included visits to the company’s commercial branches. Students learned about the way products are displayed and sold, the mechanism of cooperation between the two companies, the nature of selling Nestlé products within the branches of BinDawood Holding, methods of targeting consumers, distribution departments, and preparing advertisements for products, all of which helped them to enhance their understanding of the work environment in a realistic way.

The Nestlé Academy has contributed to developing national competencies through six previous editions of innovative training programs, qualifying more than 250 individuals who graduated from the academy’s programs, which covered sales, supply chain, nutrition, and cooking. This edition comes as an extension of Nestlé’s commitment to youth empowerment in the labor market.

The academy’s programs provide integrated training curricula and field experiences that contribute to raising the efficiency of youth and empowering them with the skills required in the Saudi labor market, in alignment with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

MBSC students hone entrepreneurial skills in US

Updated 09 August 2025

Arab News

August 09, 2025 23:42

MBSC students hone entrepreneurial skills in US

Summer@Babson is a cornerstone of the strategic partnership between MBSC and Babson Global, which is a founding partner of MBSC

Updated 09 August 2025

Arab News

August 09, 2025 23:42

Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College concluded the seventh edition of its acclaimed Summer@Babson program, bringing together 162 master-level students from its Executive MBA, Master in Finance, and Master in Management programs for an intensive academic and entrepreneurial experience at Babson College in Massachusetts. The program is sponsored by the Babson Global Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership.
The students arrived on Babson’s campus on July 20, and were warmly welcomed by Babson College President Dr. Stephen Spinelli Jr., Babson Global President and CEO David Abdow, and a team of faculty and staff led by Kim Stanhouse, director of the Babson Global Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. The program is hosted on Babson’s campus, with MBSC students residing in Babson’s dormitories, fostering a dynamic and immersive learning environment.

HIGHLIGHT

The program emphasizes action planning and real-world application, guided by a diverse group of Babson faculty renowned for their expertise in entrepreneurial education.

Classes commenced on July 21 and run until July 25. During this week, students engaged in a rigorous curriculum designed to deepen their understanding of entrepreneurship and innovation. Topics included leadership, marketing in the age of artificial intelligence, strategic branding, personal branding, and the art of pitching, including Babson’s signature Rocket Pitch methodology. The program also emphasizes action planning and real-world application, guided by a diverse group of Babson faculty renowned for their expertise in entrepreneurial education.
Summer@Babson is a cornerstone of the strategic partnership between MBSC and Babson Global, which is a founding partner of MBSC. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to cultivating entrepreneurial leadership and advancing global business education.
Located in King Abdullah Economic City — a contemporary urban center on the Red Sea coast — MBSC offers an unparalleled modern educational environment for students and faculty alike. With campuses in KAEC and Riyadh, the college delivers world-class education “from �� for ��.” Through practical, hands-on experiential learning, MBSC is shaping a new generation of transformative leaders prepared to navigate complexity and contribute meaningfully to the Kingdom’s progress.
As a Saudi institution aligned with Vision 2030, MBSC continues to cultivate change-makers who are not only job seekers, but job creators — equipped with the entrepreneurial mindset and leadership capacity to drive economic diversification and national advancement.

Topics: MBSC

LuLu ‘School Savers’ campaign unveils big deals

LuLu’s back-to-school campaign is being held across all its KSA stores.

Updated 09 August 2025

Arab News

August 09, 2025 23:40

LuLu ‘School Savers’ campaign unveils big deals

The campaign also features an extensive collection of school uniforms in all sizes, maintaining quality and comfort at very affordable price points

Updated 09 August 2025

Arab News

August 09, 2025 23:40

LuLu Hypermarket’s annual back-to-school campaign is back across all its stores in the Kingdom. “School Savers” comes as a timely initiative designed to support families preparing for the new academic year, with a wide range of essential school items now available at exceptional value. These offers will be available throughout the month of August.
The “School Savers” campaign brings together everything a student needs under one roof — from colorful and durable school bags to lunch boxes, water bottles, and a complete range of stationery. Adding to the excitement, smart gadgets such as tablets and smartwatches are available at highly competitive prices, making it easier for families to invest in the tools required for modern learning.
The campaign also features an extensive collection of school uniforms in all sizes, maintaining quality and comfort at very affordable price points. Branded products are offered at special promotional rates, ensuring that parents can choose from trusted names without compromising on value.
To make shopping even more enjoyable, special kids’ activities are being hosted in all LuLu stores across �� during the campaign period — creating a vibrant and fun-filled experience for children while parents shop. In addition, customers can now take advantage of convenient financing options such as Tabby and Tamara, making it easier to manage back-to-school expenses with flexible payment plans.
“This nationwide initiative of LuLu is not only about savings, but also about making back-to-school preparations exciting, easy, and accessible to all,” a statement said.

Topics: LuLu

SADAFCO reports net profit of $209m for Q2 2025

Our second quarter showed steady revenue growth across our core categories and markets, says Patrick Stillhart, CEO of SADAFCO

Updated 09 August 2025

Arab News

August 09, 2025 23:37

SADAFCO reports net profit of $209m for Q2 2025

SADAFCO launched 16 new products during the quarter and continued investing in brand-building while managing costs effectively

Updated 09 August 2025

Arab News

August 09, 2025 23:37

Saudia Dairy and Foodstuff Company, a leading producer of UHT milk, tomato paste, and ice cream in ��, has announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2025, from April 1 to June 30.
SADAFCO recorded SR785.4 million ($209.3 million) in sales during Q2 2025, marking a growth of 8.75 percent compared to the same period last year. The net profit for the quarter stood at SR117.7 million, diluted by raw material cost increases and other inflationary pressures.
Commenting on the results, Patrick Stillhart, CEO of SADAFCO, said: “Our second quarter showed steady revenue growth across our core categories and markets. We maintained our strong market shares — 57.4 percent in UHT milk, 53.6 percent in tomato paste, and 30.4 percent in ice cream — and achieved strong performance in export, out of home, and e-commerce channels.”
SADAFCO launched 16 new products during the quarter and continued investing in brand-building while managing costs effectively. Despite inflation and higher input costs, the company delivered a healthy net margin of 15 percent.
The H1 2025 revenue reached SR1.56 billion, an increase of 8.6 percent year on year. The net profit for the six-month period was SR243.8 million.
SADAFCO’s financial position remains solid with shareholders’ equity of SR1.773 billion and a cash balance of SR672.4 million.
Stillhart added: “We remain focused on disciplined growth, strategic innovation, and long-term value creation. With a robust balance sheet and expanding product portfolio, SADAFCO is well-positioned to navigate market conditions and deliver sustainable results.”
Based in Jeddah, SADAFCO operates sales and distribution depots in 24 locations across the Kingdom, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, and Kuwait.

Topics: SADFCO

Amazon brings next-level tech to Esports World Cup

Updated 07 August 2025

Arab News

August 07, 2025 11:04

Amazon brings next-level tech to Esports World Cup

Updated 07 August 2025

Arab News

August 07, 2025 11:04

The Esports World Cup Foundation is collaborating with Amazon and Amazon Web Services to bring the Esports World Cup action closer than ever before to millions of fans worldwide by leveraging advanced technologies to create immersive and interactive experiences.

The collaboration combines Amazon’s retail expertise and AWS cloud technology to create a seamless connection between shopping, entertainment and competitive gaming throughout EWC tournaments, running from July 7 until Aug. 24 in Riyadh. Amazon is transforming how youth engage with their favorite esports content by providing a one-stop experience to shop, stream, and be entertained on Amazon.sa and Amazon.ae.

As the exclusive cloud partner of the Esports World Cup, AWS is powering a next-generation viewing experience through advanced cloud technology and machine learning capabilities. AWS is delivering AI-powered live match insights, including win probabilities and player heat maps, automated highlight generation tailored to fans’ favorite moments, and interactive dashboards for real-time statistics.

“Technology is central to how we grow the Esports World Cup, both in terms of scale and its impact,” said Francois Desir, senior manager, sponsorships at the Esports World Cup Foundation. “With AWS, we’re combining world-class compute and analytics services with creative storytelling and real-time engagement. It’s a partnership that bridges performance and play, creating unforgettable moments for fans, whether they’re stepping into the Amazon Arena in Riyadh or following the action at home.”

As the global e-commerce partner of EWC, Amazon is recognizing esports fans and players with “Hero’s Corner,” a first-of-its-kind online destination that brings together AI-powered immersive entertainment, exclusive shopping deals, and live tournament streams in one place in �� and the UAE. The digital experience is also amplified through on-ground activations at Riyadh Boulevard.

At the heart of this collaboration are four signature experiences that reimagine how fans engage with the tournament:

Hero’s Gate: A first-of-its-kind activation available to visitors at Riyadh Boulevard and online in the Kingdom and UAE On-site visitors will step into an immersive fantasy world, enjoying interactive experiences and photo opportunities. Each participant will receive a personalized cinematic trailer starring their personalized hero. Fans across the region can access the digital version online, creating their own avatar as they embark on a quest to Hero’s Gate.
Amazon Esports Arena: A premier gaming venue at Riyadh Boulevard where thousands of fans will witness the world’s top pros compete in live game finals. Visitors will experience the electrifying atmosphere as 2,000 elite players and 200 clubs from over 100 countries battle for glory across 25 tournaments and a record-breaking $70+ million prize pool. Each tournament promises unforgettable moments of competitive gaming at the highest level.
Amazon post-match interviews, presented by AWS: A unique interview series that brings audiences closer to the tournament’s most intense moments. Viewers can experience real-time analysis and statistics from experienced gamers, while pro players share their post-match reactions. Each segment captures the raw emotion and strategic thinking behind the matches, exclusively available through tournament broadcasts.
Exclusive deals and discounts: A dedicated shopping experience for youth and gamers in the Kingdom and UAE, which brings together the best deals in one place. Visitors will discover premium gaming gear, best-in-class electronics, snacks, fashion, and lifestyle products through the curated Hero’s Corner. The “EWC Hub” allows fans to stream the EWC tournament action live while shopping for pro gaming gear. Amazon.sacustomers can enjoy 20 percent off up to SR100 ($27) on selected products when using Mastercard credit or prepaid cards with code MC100 at checkout.
Prime Video entertainment: An exclusive content offering available on Prime Video takes viewers behind the scenes of competitive gaming. Viewers will experience the world of professional esports through “EWC Level Up,” a captivating docuseries directed by renowned filmmaker R.J. Cutler. The series reveals intimate stories of the biggest esports stars and the high-stakes world of competitive gaming, with all episodes now streaming on Prime Video.

“With over 23.5 million gamers and a gaming market valued at $2.3 billion, �� stands as one of the world’s fastest-growing gaming markets,” said Fahad Bahdailah, head of communications, Amazon ��. “We’re excited to be part of Saudi’s growing gaming ecosystem, offering our Amazon.sa community enhanced localized experiences that bring fans closer to the action than ever before, while giving youth something special to look forward to this summer.”

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