Market Size & Growth
The GCC beauty and wellness market is projected to reach US$12 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of 7-10%.
Consumer Behaviour
Consumers are increasingly favoring premium, natural, and organic beauty products, as well as personalized wellness experiences.
Luxury Skincare & Fragrances:
High-end skincare products, including serums, anti-aging creams, and perfumes, dominate the market.
Halal Cosmetics:
Halal products are in demand, particularly in countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where religious and cultural norms influence purchasing decisions.
Men's Grooming:
A growing segment, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where the male population is increasingly interested in grooming and wellness products.
Sustainability:
Eco-friendly packaging, cruelty-free products, and sustainable sourcing are becoming important for GCC consumers
License: Foreign brands must obtain a license from the UAE Ministry of Economy or the Saudi Ministry of Commerce for business setup. Depending on the country, foreign ownership regulations differ.
Legal Structure: Setting up an LLC (Limited Liability Company) or a joint venture with a local partner is common. If you’re entering Saudi Arabia, a Saudi-GCC partnership may be required.
Retail Presence: Consider direct retail presence in high-end malls (e.g., The Dubai Mall, Kingdom Centre, Mall of the Emirates) or explore online channels
Product Registration & Approvals: In Saudi Arabia, products like cosmetics, skincare, and wellness supplements must meet SFDA (Saudi Food and Drug Authority) standards.UAE regulations require product approval from Dubai Municipality and compliance with GCC Standardization Organization.
Import Duties: Tariffs for beauty and wellness products in the GCC typically range from 5-15%.
Halal Certification: Ensure products are Halal-certified for the Saudi and UAE markets, particularly for skincare, cosmetics, and perfumes.
Saudization: Saudi Arabia has mandatory employment quotas for local hires, especially in retail and customer-facing roles. Brands will need to partner with local HR agencies to meet the Saudization requirements for their retail teams.
Training & Development: Invest in training local employees to meet international standards in beauty and wellness product knowledge and customer service.
Physical Retail: Establish partnerships with leading retail chains such as Carrefour, Lulu Hypermarket, Sephora, and Boots Pharmacy.
Beauty Salons & Spas: Partner with upscale spas, salons, and wellness centers to promote your products.
E-Commerce: Leverage GCC-based e-commerce giants like Noon, Souq, and Carrefour UAE for online sales.
Influencer Partnerships: Collaborating with influencers in the beauty industry can significantly enhance brand visibility. Instagram and Snapchat influencers are particularly influential in the GCC beauty market.
Launch Events: Hold exclusive launch events at high-end malls or spas to introduce new products.
Seasonal Campaigns: Align with key seasonal events like Ramadan, Eid, and National Day to launch promotions, as these are times when consumers tend to splurge on luxury beauty products.
In-Store Demos: Conduct in-store demos and experiential marketing campaigns to engage consumers directly with your products.
We help with setting up retail channels, finding the right distributors, and establishing your presence in GCC’s largest malls and e-commerce platforms.
Channelplay offers outsource sales teams to effectively represent your brand in stores, ensuring compliance with Saudization and UAE Nationals quotas.
We create immersive and impactful gaming zones, product demos, and promotions to enhance your visibility in key retail environments.
Running localised digital campaigns on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, we leverage regional influencers to connect with the gaming community.
From fulfillment solutions to real-time inventory tracking, we provide comprehensive logistics support to ensure smooth operations.
