5 luxury brand partners to know in the Middle East

As global luxury brands brace for a slowdown in traditional growth markets, Jing Daily’s latest report, Driving Luxury Revenue in the Middle East: KSA and UAE, provides an incisive look at the region poised to defy the economic trend. Click here for access. When Jil Sander opened its Dubai flagship at Mall of the Emirates last month, it marked the debut of the brand’s minimalist aesthetic to the Middle East. Parent company OTB is set on rapid expansion across the region, with plans to open more than 15 new retail stores over the next five years. But it’s not going at it alone: a joint venture signed in 2024 with Chalhoub Group will allow OTB to leverage Chalhoub’s deep regional expertise and robust infrastructure to accelerate store openings, strengthen its e-commerce platforms, and drive localized marketing efforts. “With this partnership, we want to introduce the beauty of our brands to the Middle East and spread it throughout the region, one of the world’s most interesting markets today,” Renzo Rosso, founder and chairman of OTB Group, said in a statement. The Middle Eastern luxury market, valued at 15 billion euros ($16.9 billion) in 2023, is expected to double by 2030, led by the UAE and Saudi Arabia, according to BCG and Altagamma. In Saudi Arabia alone, fashion spending per capita — currently at $800 — is projected to grow 22% annually through 2028, as reported by the Saudi Fashion Commission. However, to capitalize on this growth, global brands need a carefully tailored approach. Below are five key players helping luxury brands establish a strong retail presence in the Middle East. Chalhoub Group With over 70 years of experience in the Middle East, Chalhoub Group is a leading force in luxury retail. The company manages a portfolio of more than 450 global brands — including Versace, Jacquemus, Max Mara, Fendi, and, more recently, the OTB Group labels — through a mix of joint ventures and distribution agreements. In addition to operating over 950 stores, Chalhoub also owns and runs 10 owned concepts, including Faces (beauty) and Level Shoes (footwear and accessories). Al Tayer Headquartered in the UAE, Al Tayer Group’s retail division, Al Tayer Insignia, has solidified its position as a retail powerhouse, operating nearly 200 stores across the Middle East. Since opening its first luxury fashion store in 1994 for Giorgio Armani, the company has become the exclusive retailer for iconic brands like Missoni, Moschino, and Kate Spade in the UAE. Additionally, Al Tayer Insignia holds the exclusive licenses for Harvey Nichols and Bloomingdale’s in the country. The division also boasts joint ventures with top luxury names such as Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Gucci, Miu Miu, Prada, and Brunello Cucinelli. Majid Al Futtaim Best known for developing and operating malls like Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates, Majid Al Futtaim is becoming a major retail player. The company has franchise and licensing agreements with Lululemon, Crate & Barrel, and Abercrombie & Fitch, and owns THAT Concept Store, carrying names like Comme des Garçons, Off-White, and JW Anderson. In 2024, it operated 87 stores and 24 e-commerce platforms, with plans to open over 30 new stores in 2025 — including seven in Saudi Arabia, a priority market for the group. Al Malki Al Malki aims to become Saudi Arabia’s first true omnichannel retail group. Specializing in beauty, watches, and jewelry, it holds exclusive distribution rights for Estée Lauder, Clinique, and Tom Ford, and has a joint venture with Richemont to operate Cartier, Piaget, and Van Cleef & Arpels boutiques in the kingdom. In recent years, it has rapidly expanded into digital retail, launching services such as click-and-collect, e-reservation, and ship-from-store to meet the growing demands of hyper-connected Saudis. Ounass Owned by Al Tayer, Ounass is the region’s first luxury e-tailer. The platform is renowned for its premium packaging, fast delivery (within 2 hours in Dubai and 3 hours in Riyadh), and a curated mix of designers, including Dolce & Gabbana, Saint Laurent, and Bottega Veneta. It now boasts 4 million monthly users and an average order value of $550, excluding beauty. In November 2024, Ounass debuted its first retail space, Ounass Maison, in Dubai, offering bespoke shopping experiences for its VIP clientele. Why local partners are a lifeline While neither the UAE or Saudi Arabia requires a local partner to set up a fully-owned foreign business, many luxury brands still opt for joint ventures or franchising to streamline their entry. “A local partner isn’t just an operational necessity — it’s the difference between seamless success and costly failure,” says Taqua Malik, founder of Freedomvisory, a boutique cultural intelligence and advisory firm based in Dubai. However, large distributors aren’t the only partners worth considering. “Cultural and brand alignment advisors play a crucial role in ensuring that a brand’s positioning, messaging, and marketing align with local consumer expectations,” Malik explains. “Additionally, government and legal advisors are invaluable in ensuring compliance with GCC regulations, e-commerce laws, and foreign investment requirements. The wrong legal setup can cause months of regulatory delays or even result in a brand being barred from operating in the region.” Highlighting the power of local partnerships, Dolce & Gabbana teamed up with Al Malki, Diriyah Company (a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund), and events specialist Sela to launch its boutique in Diriyah in December 2024. The store blends traditional Najdi architecture with modern luxury, featuring a café serving Italian coffee and Arabian tea, and a makeup room for personalized consultations — all tailored to the Saudi luxury consumer. As new business regulations and shifting consumer tastes continue to transform the Middle Eastern market, partnerships offer a smart, strategic path for brands seeking long-term success and smoother market entry.

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5 luxury brand partners to know in the Middle East