Fit-Out Powerlist 2024 –ALPHA NERO, Ranks 17th

SIMON HACKER, FOUNDER AND MANAGING PARTNER, ALPHA NERO

Alpha Nero is the leading manufacturing and shop fitting company, creating shop fixtures, shop-in-shops, turn-key boutiques, and pop-up stores for high-end, global, and regional luxury brands. With headquarters in the UAE and a dedicated full-service manufacturing facility in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the company has reached over 35 countries worldwide.

Founded by managing partner Simon Hacker in Dubai in 2014, Alpha Nero has since grown from eight employees to more than 300 within a facility spanning over 40,000sqm. a multinational team, and a portfolio of over 50+ luxury brands spanning the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Simon has received several awards and accolades for his achievements as an entrepreneur and visionary leader. In 2022, he won the SME CEO Middle East Award, which honours outstanding CEOs who have demonstrated excellence in their respective fields. He is also a member of the United Nations Global Compact Network, a platform for businesses to align their strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption

The company’s vision is driven by the need to craft the future of retail, where sustainability, luxury, and manufacturing can co-exist harmoniously.

Alpha Nero brings innovative ideas to stand out in the competitive luxury retail market thanks to its highly experienced, multinational team, with years of expertise within high-end luxury retail and branding strategy. The Middle Eastern luxury goods market, estimated at nearly $15.79 billion in 2023, is expected to double in size by 2030, and grow to $31.5-$36.8billion, driven by the UAE and especially Saudi Arabia, according to a survey published by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in partnership with Altagamma, the association of Italy’s top luxury labels. With both brands and consumers looking for a more elevated experience at every touch point, and an exponential growth opportunity for luxury brand retail within KSA, Alpha Nero brings the future of experiential retail to every project.
Working with luxury brands including Chanel, Dior, Lancôme, Yves Saint Laurent, Armani, Nars, Tom Ford, Byredo, Tag Heuer, and Cartier amongst others, Alpha Nero creates exquisite consumer touch points and experiences that elevate a brand’s promise to their discerning clientele. For brands where ‘perfection’ is a customer requirement, Alpha Nero delivers the experience, from the initial drawings to the finished and flawless fit-out. Winners of the Middle East Business Awards for ‘Leading Provider Of Shop Fitting and Architecture as well as the ‘Great Place to Work’ Award in 2023, is a testament to the company’s commitment to its people with a laser focus on quality, innovation and craftsmanship.
In 2024, several magnificent store milestones were completed for top brands in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, including retail masterpieces for Tag Heuer, Oliver Peoples, Abu Dhabi Airports, The Estee Lauder Group, L’Oreal Middle East, Dior Beauty, NARS, Diptyque, and others.

Net zero-emission commitments from governments and businesses have surged over the past three years. The UAE, aiming for net zero by 2050, exemplifies this trend. However, tracking emissions accurately remains a significant challenge for organisations. One of the biggest obstacles in carbon accounting is the availability and credibility of data. Due to the nature of the business, it was imperative Alpha Nero could filter through calculations based on projects. This ensured Alpha Nero was able to influence scope 3 emission reductions in a tangible, scientific manner.

tangible, scientific manner. To address this, as a business, Alpha Nero proactively combined technology with data, benchmarked against both local and global accredited institutions such as the Green House Gas (GHG) protocol.

Handling diverse local and international projects within the manufacturing sector revealed the necessity of a nuanced approach to manage extensive data effectively and thereby adopt a structured, calculated approach.

These challenges led Alpha Nero to develop a bespoke carbon footprint calculation software, tailored for project-based manufacturing. A unique feature of the software is its scenario planning – the ability to recommend alternative materials to reduce emissions.

Depending on specific industry and product requirements, the software suggests low-carbon-emitting materials to help reduce the carbon footprint. Recommendations include using recycled materials, alternative packaging, logistical methods, or locally sourced materials, all tailored to a business’s needs.
The software also generates detailed reports with scientific and actionable recommendations, to share internally or with stakeholders, investors, or customers, highlighting a company’s.
Passionate about innovation and sustainability in the shop fit-out manufacturing industry, Alpha Nero is committed to using the latest technologies and scientifically proven methods across all operations. Alpha Nero now offers a comprehensive suite of retail production solutions, ranging from fit-out and eco-friendly manufacturing to insights into consumer purchasing behaviour, data, and analytics, leveraging AI and deep learning. With a 360-degree commitment to sustainability from beginning to end, this element is as vital to business in 2024 as it is to the client and, ultimately, to the customer, who wants a transparent brand promise on ESG principles.