Knowledge Economic City Signs Agreement with Danube to Bring its Newest Premium Store to Multaqa Almadinah

Knowledge Economic City (KEC), the publicly listed master developer leading Madinah’s urban transformation, today announced the signing of an agreement with Danube Food & Luxuries Company (Danube), a subsidiary of BinDawood Holding and Saudi Arabia’s leading premium grocery retailer to open one of its largest store within Multaqa Al Madinah, KEC’s landmark lifestyle development.

Under the agreement, Danube will occupy a prime 3,600-square-metre space within the development as the anchor store among its curated mix of premium brands, reinforcing Multaqa Almadinah’s position as the leading destination for modern lifestyle and integrated retail in the heart of Madinah. The agreement was signed by Abdulrahman Zolaly, Mall Manager of Multaqa Al Madinah, and Eng. Ahmed Naytah, Executive Director of the Real Estate Sector at Danube, at Knowledge Economic City’s headquarters in Madinah, in the presence of senior leadership from both companies.

The partnership reflects KEC’s broader strategy of developing integrated destinations that bring together residential, retail, hospitality and leisure components within a single masterplan, in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030’s Pilgrim Experience, Quality of Life, and economic diversification programs.

Dr. Moath Al-Yahya, CEO of Knowledge Economic City commented: ‘This agreement with Danube Food & Luxuries Company marks a significant milestone in the development of Multaqa Al Madinah and reflects the confidence of leading national brands in the opportunities created by Madinah’s new generation of urban destinations. We are not simply leasing retail space, we are building an integrated destination that meets the aspirations of Madinah’s residents and visitors alike and redefines the lifestyle and shopping experience at the heart of the city. The presence of a leading Saudi name like Danube adds a meaningful layer of quality to the project and reinforces Multaqa Al Madinah’s position as a national benchmark for integrated lifestyle destinations.’

Eng. Ahmed Naeeth, Executive Director of the Real Estate Division at Danube, said: ‘We are pleased to be a strategic partner in Multaqa Al Madinah, a project that embodies an ambitious vision for developing an integrated urban destination in Madinah. The opening of this store extends Danube’s commitment to delivering an exceptional shopping experience that meets the aspirations of our customers, particularly in a city of global religious and cultural significance. Our choice of Multaqa Al Madinah reflects our confidence in its potential to become one of the most prominent retail and tourism destinations in the Kingdom. We are proud to be part of this journey, in line with our commitment to supporting Saudi Vision 2030’s goals through the development of the retail sector, the strengthening of local supply chains, and the delivery of a world-class shopping experience.’

Multaqa Al Madinah is a flagship lifestyle destination developed by Knowledge Economic City, designed to become the leading destination for residents and visitors of Madinah. Spanning 160,000 square meters with a total investment exceeding SAR 3.35 billion, the project brings together retail, dining, hospitality and entertainment within an open-air, walkable environment located near the Prophet’s Mosque, within KEC’s broader masterplan.

Phase One of the project includes a five-star Hilton hotel with 390 rooms, a 750-seat conference hall, and 66 Hilton-branded serviced residences.

Danube Food & Luxuries Company is one of the leading retailers in Saudi Arabia, and among the first to establish the modern hypermarket concept in the Kingdom. It is distinguished by a premium shopping experience grounded in quality, variety and innovation, with a focus on fresh produce, healthy food, and distinctive international products, alongside the adoption of best practices in sustainable supply chains. The company also offers the ‘Ghalia’ loyalty program, which gives customers a more rewarding shopping experience through exclusive benefits, offers and a range of rewards that enhance customer loyalty and elevate the shopping journey.

Danube operates a network of more than 71 stores across Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Bahrain, offering customers an integrated shopping experience that includes high-quality fresh produce and premium imported goods, alongside its widely popular Danube Star Bakery.

Danube is also among the leaders in digital innovation in the retail sector, through its Danube Online app, which has won numerous awards and is one of the first specialized grocery e-commerce platforms in the Kingdom. The company continues to support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by investing in digital transformation, enhancing supply-chain efficiency, supporting national products, and empowering local suppliers, contributing to the development of the retail sector and the enhancement of the customer experience.