DP World operates as an end-to-end logistics provider, investing not only in port assets but across warehousing, freight, technology and people.

Maslamoney emphasised that infrastructure alone is insufficient. Retailers require integrated investment across the full supply chain to simplify operations and manage regulatory complexity — particularly in regions such as the Middle East where customs and compliance environments can be intricate.

One of the defining features of DELIVER, according to Maslamoney, is the ability to engage directly with senior retail decision-makers.

These focused discussions enable logistics providers to understand tangible operational challenges and respond with actionable solutions. The result is faster alignment and clearer commercial outcomes.

Retailers under margin pressure must select partners capable of:

• Controlling critical infrastructure and logistics assets

• Leveraging technology through dashboards and control towers

• Embedding optionality into operating models

Optionality — the ability to pivot sourcing, routing or distribution models — is increasingly essential in a world where change is constant.

The retailers that succeed, Maslamoney argues, will be those who align with partners capable of both responding to disruption and proactively adapting to it.

The key takeaway is not simply responsiveness.

In a variable environment, effective supply chains are designed to anticipate change and act decisively. Strategic partnerships built on infrastructure depth, data visibility and execution discipline create that advantage.

As the Middle East continues to strengthen its role as a global trade hub, retailers operating in the region must prioritise partners capable of delivering control at scale.