Regional Deep Dive: Retail Media Networks in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia

Unlocking New Revenue Streams and Accelerating Digital Transformation with Publicis Sapient and Google Cloud

Saudi Arabia’s retail and consumer landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. As the Kingdom advances toward the ambitious goals of Vision 2030, retailers and consumer brands are seeking new ways to diversify revenue, adapt to rapidly evolving consumer behaviors, and embrace digital innovation at scale. The rise of Retail Media Networks (RMNs)—platforms that enable retailers to monetize first-party data and digital assets through targeted advertising—has emerged as a pivotal opportunity for growth, customer engagement, and future-proofing business models.

The Saudi Context: Unique Drivers and Opportunities

Saudi Arabia’s digital economy is expanding at an unprecedented pace. The launch of a local Google Cloud data center has unlocked new possibilities for secure, scalable, and compliant cloud infrastructure—addressing regulatory requirements and supporting data sovereignty. This is particularly significant in a market where data privacy, localization, and cultural relevance are paramount. Retailers and consumer brands in the Kingdom are now positioned to harness the full potential of AI, data, and cloud technologies, while aligning with national priorities for economic diversification and digital innovation.

Publicis Sapient and Google Cloud: A Partnership for Saudi Success

Publicis Sapient, in partnership with Google Cloud, brings decades of local investment and global expertise to the Saudi market. This collaboration delivers:

Local Presence, Global Best Practices: Deep roots in Saudi Arabia, combined with award-winning delivery and a track record of success with leading global brands.
Industry-Specific Solutions: Proven frameworks tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of the Saudi retail and consumer sectors.
AI and Cloud Leadership: Recognized as a leader in cloud professional services, with dedicated, certified Google Cloud experts.
Alignment with Vision 2030: Solutions designed to accelerate economic diversification, digital innovation, and sustainable growth in line with the Kingdom’s strategic vision.

The Retail Media Network (RMN) Accelerator: Built for the Kingdom

The Publicis Sapient RMN Accelerator, powered by Google Cloud, is a comprehensive solution designed to help Saudi retailers and consumer brands build, launch, and scale their own media networks. Key capabilities include:

Monetizing First-Party Data: Transform consumer and product data into a strategic asset, generating new advertising revenue and actionable customer insights.
Omnichannel Media Activation: Scale RMN platforms across digital and physical properties, enabling seamless media planning and automation for both direct and network-based advertising.
AI-Powered Audience Segmentation: Leverage generative AI to explore, segment, and activate audiences based on real-time behaviors and preferences, delivering relevant, high-impact experiences.
Unified Customer 360 View: Integrate and segment audiences for precise targeting and personalization.
Omnichannel Measurement: Track performance across campaigns, audiences, budgets, and pacing with advanced dashboards.
Identity Resolution and Secure Data Collaboration: Enable privacy-compliant data sharing with private clean rooms and deterministic/probabilistic matching.
Composable, Scalable Architecture: Built for seamless enterprise integration and automation, supporting rapid innovation and growth.

Real-World Impact: Case Studies and Measurable Results

The RMN Accelerator is already delivering significant results for leading retailers and consumer brands:

Global Grocery Chain: Partnered with Publicis Sapient and Google Cloud to create a Retail Media Network, monetizing first-party data and generating $100 million in new revenue opportunities.
Restaurant Chain: Leveraged machine learning on Google Cloud to predict customer behavior, enabling advanced personalization and segmentation that drove higher engagement and repeat visits.
Sports Retailer: Modernized its commerce platform, streamlining operations and enhancing the digital customer experience, resulting in increased agility and scalability.

For Saudi retailers with annual revenues of $10 billion, the incremental revenue potential from RMN initiatives can reach $100–$150 million, underscoring the transformative impact of this approach.

AI-Driven Personalization: The Engine of Customer Engagement

At the heart of the RMN Accelerator is advanced AI-driven audience segmentation. By integrating Google Cloud’s generative AI capabilities, Saudi retailers can:

Identify high-value customer segments in real time
Personalize offers and content across channels
Optimize campaign performance with predictive analytics
Strengthen partnerships with advertisers through secure, data-driven collaboration

This not only drives higher advertising profitability but also fosters deeper, more meaningful customer relationships—turning every interaction into an opportunity for growth.

Omnichannel Strategies for the Saudi Market

Saudi consumers expect seamless, personalized experiences whether they shop online, in-store, or via mobile. The RMN Accelerator enables true omnichannel engagement by:

Unifying data from all customer touchpoints
Delivering consistent messaging and offers across digital and physical channels
Providing real-time analytics to optimize every campaign and customer journey

Navigating Regulatory and Cultural Complexity

The Saudi market is shaped by unique regulatory, cultural, and technological factors. Publicis Sapient and Google Cloud’s local presence ensures that RMN solutions are:

Compliant with Saudi data privacy and localization requirements
Culturally attuned to local consumer preferences and behaviors
Supported by secure, in-Kingdom cloud infrastructure

Accelerate Your Transformation

As Saudi Arabia’s retail and consumer sectors accelerate toward a digital future, the ability to unlock new revenue streams and monetize first-party data is no longer optional—it’s essential. Publicis Sapient and Google Cloud offer the strategy, technology, and local expertise needed to build and scale Retail Media Networks that drive measurable business impact.

Ready to unlock new growth? Connect with our experts to discover how the RMN Accelerator can help your organization achieve its boldest digital ambitions—right here in the Kingdom.

Publicis Sapient is the digital business transformation hub of Publicis Groupe, with 20,000 people and over 50 offices worldwide. For more information, visit publicissapient.com.

Contact: SapientGoogle_Partner@publicissapient.com