
Alert: Ulta Beauty reveals its first Middle East store locations
It's official: Ulta Beauty's first stores in the region are opening at The Avenues in Kuwait and Mall of the Emirates in Dubai and yes, it's happening by the end of this year.
Supplied Supplied Supplied
Iconic choices only. Consider our calendars marked and our paychecks pre-spent.
The U.S. retail giant – aka home to Dyson, Tatcha, e.l.f., and ColourPop, is bringing its *All Things Beauty, All in One Place* magic to the Gulf through a major franchise partnership with Alshaya Group, first announced earlier this year.
'We're really excited to confirm that our Ulta Beauty stores will open in Kuwait and Dubai by the end of the year. We know consumers can't wait to visit and access many beloved brands for the first time,' shared John Hadden, CEO of Alshaya Group.
We repeat: *this year.* And honestly? We've got chills.
The in-store lineup hasn't been revealed just yet, but we're already manifesting: Tatcha, Pat McGrath Labs, Milk Makeup, Ouai, and maybe even ColourPop, Peach & Lily, and Dibs Beauty. Basically, your TikTok FYP – in real life.
And guess what? Kuwait and Dubai are just the beginning. Ulta is planning to expand across the GCC starting in 2026. So whether you're based in Doha, Riyadh, or Manama – your moment is coming.
Until then, we'll be setting reminders, making wishlists, and prepping our 'Get Ready With Me for My First Ulta Run' Reels.
The countdown is officially on. 💋
If your IG feed needs a glow-up, then check out these Kuwaiti Queens you need to add.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Khaleej Times
21 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Emsteel's H1 revenue surges to Dh4.3b amid market headwinds
Emsteel, the Abu Dhabi-based industrial heavyweight and one of the region's largest steel and building materials manufacturers, reported strong financial results for the first half of 2025, underscoring its resilience and operational strength despite global pricing challenges in the steel sector. The company posted a revenue of Dh4.3 billion for H1 2025, a 9 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) rose by 6 per cent year-on-year to Dh540 million, supported by strong demand, higher sales volumes, and strategic product shifts. The group's solid performance was powered by a 24 per cent year-on-year increase in sales volumes of finished steel products, which reached 1.616 million tonnes. This growth reflects a continuing uptrend in domestic construction activity and infrastructure development, particularly in the UAE, where major giga-projects, including the Etihad Rail, the Al Hudayriat Island masterplan, and the Zayed City infrastructure programme, have driven demand for structural steel. Cement and clinker sales also rose 21 per cent to 1.613 million tonnes, contributing to the revenue mix. This diversification was instrumental in counterbalancing the 4 per cent decline in average steel prices globally. The company's decision to pivot away from semi-finished product sales—once constituting 9 per cent of the steel division's revenue—enabled full utilisation of capacity for high-margin finished goods. The Emirates Steel division generated Dh3.9 billion in revenue, a 7 per cent increase from H1 2024, with Ebitda at Dh449 million. Meanwhile, the Emirates Cement division delivered Dh428 million in revenue, a 21 per cent year-on-year increase, and posted Dh91 million in Ebitda. A segment of this division, Pipes and Other Products, is currently under divestment and contributed Dh90 million to revenue during the period. Net profit after tax for the half-year stood at Dh188 million, up from Dh174 million a year ago. Margin pressures from softer pricing were mitigated by improved production efficiency, enhanced utilisation rates, and ongoing optimisation strategies, especially in the second quarter. Ebitda margins remained relatively stable at 12.6 per cent compared to 12.8 per cent in H1 2024. Second-quarter performance further underscored Emsteel's momentum. Revenue surged 18 per cent and Ebitda climbed 27 per cent year-on-year, partly due to a low base effect from Q2 2024, when operations were affected by severe weather conditions. The company also closed the period with a healthy net cash position of Dh372 million, up from Dh337 million as of December 2024, providing it with solid liquidity to support growth and sustainability initiatives. Beyond financial metrics, Emsteel has made notable strategic and environmental advances. In Q2 2025, the company received a provisional 'AA' ESG rating from MSCI, placing it among the leading industrial firms in environmental and social governance performance. The rating reflects Emsteel's industry-leading practices in emissions reduction, workforce safety, and sustainable production. A key highlight was Emsteel's partnership with Finland-based Magsort to advance its decarbonised cement portfolio. A pilot project at the company's Al Ain plant used 10,000 tonnes of steel slag-derived materials to produce lower-carbon cement. This initiative aligns with Emsteel's broader goal of achieving net-zero emissions across its steel and cement value chains by 2050, and reinforces the group's circular economy strategy. To support these ambitions, Emsteel also introduced its Green Finance Framework, enabling the issuance of green bonds and loans to fund low-carbon projects. The framework aligns with international sustainability standards and opens new avenues for climate-conscious capital inflows. 'Our strong H1 2025 performance underscores the resilience and adaptability of Emsteel in an evolving global market,' said Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, group CEO of Emsteel. 'The 9 per cent growth in revenue and continued Ebitda strength reflect our strategic focus on value-added products, operational efficiency, and domestic market leadership. We are proud of our team's ability to convert industry headwinds into opportunities for growth and innovation.' ' The launch of our Green Finance Framework and the partnership with Magsort are milestones in building a more sustainable, circular steel and cement ecosystem. With a solid financial foundation, strong ESG credentials, and a clear long-term vision, Emsteel remains well-positioned to deliver sustainable value to all stakeholders,' Al Remeithi said. Emsteel, majority-owned by ADQ, a key sovereign investor in the UAE, operates 16 advanced production facilities with a capacity of 3.5 million tonnes of steel and 4.6 million tonnes of cement annually. Its products support many of the nation's most iconic infrastructure and urban development projects.


Khaleej Times
21 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Ajman Bank and MENSA Technologies announce strategic alliance
Ajman Bank, a leading Shariah-compliant banks in the UAE, has partnered with MENSA Technologies, a fintech company, in a strategic alliance aimed at enhancing the delivery of Wage Protection System (WPS) services across the region. This collaboration combines Ajman Bank's banking infrastructure with MENSA Technologies' digital payroll solutions to provide seamless and timely salary disbursements to a culturally diverse workforce while meeting all regulatory requirements. The partnership introduces a next-generation WPS card solution tailored to the needs of today's representative global employee base. Designed to simplify payroll management, the solution empowers employees regardless of income level or banking access with secure, regulated financial services that extend beyond traditional cash-based systems. Mustafa Al Khalfawi, CEO of Ajman Bank, said: 'This partnership reflects Ajman Bank's strategic focus on embedding innovation into core banking infrastructure to support national priorities. By integrating agile digital payroll solutions with Shariah-compliant financial services, we are enhancing the wage protection ecosystem in a way that is secure, compliant, and scalable. It enables employers to meet regulatory obligations efficiently, while expanding access to banking for underserved segments of the workforce. As the financial system evolves, Ajman Bank remains committed to delivering purposeful innovation that advances both customer value and economic resilience.' This initiative reinforces the infrastructure for compliant, transparent, and inclusive salary disbursement—an essential pillar in the UAE's evolving financial ecosystem. Dr. Mengsha Tan, Chairwoman of Mensha Group, added, 'This WPS Cards and Wallets initiative is a powerful testament to Mensha Group's commitment to advancing financial inclusion. Through MensaPay and Mensa Technologies' innovation, combined with Ajman Bank's trusted banking framework, we are providing individuals with the financial tools they truly deserve, contributing significantly to the UAE's ambitious journey.' Muhammad Ashraf, CEO of MensaPay, commented: ' At MensaPay, we are immensely proud to enable this significant stride towards financial inclusion and a cashless society in the UAE, Our advanced technology underpins MensaPay's ability to deliver a compliant, efficient, and user-friendly solution with Ajman Bank, opening doors to essential financial services for the underbanked.' This partnership marks a significant step in reinforcing the UAE's wage protection framework and ensuring financial accessibility for all. By uniting the strengths of regulated Islamic banking and fintech innovation, Ajman Bank and MENSA Technologies are delivering a future-ready WPS model designed for scale, compliance, and inclusion. It demonstrates how cross-sector collaboration can unlock new channels for economic resilience, workforce empowerment, and sustainable growth across the region.


Zawya
21 minutes ago
- Zawya
Blacklane accelerates Middle East growth with Bahrain debut
Manama, Bahrain: Blacklane, the global chauffeur service, has officially launched operations in Bahrain, beginning in the capital city of Manama. This marks a significant step in the company's expansion across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), strengthening its presence alongside existing services in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman. Initially offering premium airport transfers, in-city chauffeur rides, and hourly bookings, Blacklane's services are now live in Manama and will soon extend island-wide. The company plans to expand availability across Bahrain's key destinations, business districts, and residential areas beyond the capital in response to growing demand from both business and leisure travelers. The launch also opens new cross-border connections for travelers in the region. Blacklane has already seen strong early demand for its city-to-city service linking Manama with Al Khobar, Dammam, and Riyadh, popular business and leisure routes where premium ground transport offers a compelling alternative to short-haul flights or unpredictable car services. All rides come with transparent pricing, professional chauffeurs, and luxury vehicles tailored for comfort on longer journeys. 'We've seen growing demand for reliable, premium city-to-city travel across the Gulf, especially between Bahrain and eastern Saudi Arabia,' said Adib Samara, General Manager at Blacklane. 'Our launch in Manama strengthens this network and gives travelers a seamless, high-quality alternative that matches the region's expectations for comfort and hospitality.' Guests in Bahrain can book a range of vehicle classes to suit their needs, including Business Class for solo travelers or professionals on the move, Business Vans/SUVs for groups and families requiring extra space, and First Class for the ultimate in luxury and sophistication. All services can be booked via Blacklane's website or mobile app. In line with Bahrain's national vision for sustainable mobility and Blacklane's global environmental commitments, the company also plans to integrate electric vehicles (EVs) into its local fleet in the near future. This follows similar initiatives across other Blacklane markets worldwide. Founded in 2011, Blacklane now operates in more than 500 cities and over 50 countries, offering pre-booked chauffeur services that prioritize comfort, professionalism, and reliability. The expansion into Bahrain is a further step in the company's mission to transform ground transportation for modern travelers across the Middle East and beyond. Blacklane's ongoing expansion in Saudi Arabia is supported by TASARU Mobility Investments ('TASARU'), an investment entity wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund ("PIF"). For more information, please visit: About Blacklane Blacklane is the global chauffeur service delivering premium, sustainable and reliable transportation in over 50 countries. With services ranging from airport transfers and city-to-city rides to on-demand and hourly bookings, Blacklane ensures a seamless travel experience for business and leisure guests alike. Headquartered in Berlin, the fast-growing scale-up employs 400+ people worldwide and partners with thousands of chauffeurs to deliver first-class service. As a leader in sustainable mobility, Blacklane drives innovation in electrification, training and technology, trusted by top luxury travel brands and discerning clients across six continents. For more information visit or download the Blacklane app on Android or iOS.