DAMMAM: The specialty cafe sector offers one of the most promising opportunities for investment in Saudi Arabia, according to experts, and its nature makes it particularly attractive to younger people, they say.
These opportunities, and the best ways to face the challenges of sustainable investment in the sector, were discussed during Investing in the Café Sector, a Pioneers Dialogue Program event organized by Asharqia Chamber’s Young Businesswomen Council. The chamber works to promote the contribution of the private sector to the economy.
Speakers at the event confirmed that the Kingdom is experiencing a boom in specialty cafes, the number of which now exceeds 20,000. They said it is one of the most promising sectors for investment, especially among young people, because, more so than many sectors, it requires careful planning and a structured approach that includes feasibility studies.
Quality investment is key to ensuring the continuity and sustainability of the sector, the participants heard, as cafes depend on it to maintain the high quality standards that customers demand.
The meeting was moderated by Abdul Rahman Al-Moaibed, founder and CEO of the Abdul Rahman Al-Moaibed Group. The speakers included Ahmed Al-Ahmari, the retail director of Khutwat Jamal (Camel’s Step) Roastery; Mishaal Al-Amro, founding partner of Gault Café; Ahmed Al Sanousi, founder of Coffina Café; and Prof. Moudha Al-Ajab, founder of Scratch Café.
They agreed that the Saudi market is still hungry for investments in the cafe sector, and stressed the importance of a pure investment approach based on profit and sustainability, driven by a passion for coffee. They also noted that the challenges facing the sector are not only related to business procedures, which have become much simpler, but finding and retaining employees in what is a highly competitive arena.
The speakers said that it is only natural that young men and women are so keen to invest in cafes, given the incredible growth in what has become a key sector in the Kingdom. However, they pointed out that as a result, success depends on competitive and innovative ideas backed up by rigorous feasibility studies, along with a commitment to internationally recognized standards of management and maintaining the quality of service and products.
