Ulta Beauty Debuts in Kuwait

Ulta Beauty (Bolingbrook, Ill.), has opened its first store in the Middle East, a 15,000-square-foot locale at The Avenues shopping mall in Kuwait. The new store is the first by the brand with international retail franchise operator Alshaya Group, and marks a significant milestone in Ulta Beauty’s global expansion, the companies said in a press release.

“The Kuwait store brings to life the unmatched experience our guests, associates and brand partners have cherished for decades in the U.S., while incorporating unique elements that are important to the local consumer,” said Ulta President and CEO Kecia Steelman.

Said John Hadden, CEO of the Alshaya Group, “Our fantastic new partnership with Ulta Beauty is another step forward for Alshaya Group as we bring the very best brands to the region.”

Next up for the partners: in January, they will open a store in the Mall of the Emirates in the United Arab Emirates, and in March they will debut locales at the Dubai Mall in Dubai and at the Red Sea Mall in Saudi Arabia

Founded in 1990, Ulta Beauty now has about 1500 stores across the U.S. In addition to its expansion into the Middle East, the brand operates a joint venture in Mexico and its Space NK subsidiary in the U.K. and Ireland.