Bolingbrook, Ill. — Ulta Beauty, the largest specialty beauty retailer in the United States, is set to make its debut in the United Arab Emirates with the opening of its store in Mall of the Emirates on Jan. 29, 2026 in partnership with Alshaya Group, one of the world’s leading international retail franchise operators. Marking a major milestone in Ulta Beauty’s global expansion building on from the first store opening in Kuwait on Nov. 7, 2025, the Mall of the Emirates opening will be closely followed by new Ulta Beauty stores in Dubai Mall and Red Sea Mall in Jeddah.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with Ulta Beauty as we bring the brand’s first store to the UAE,” says John Hadden, chief executive officer at Alshaya Group. “This launch at Mall of the Emirates is a significant milestone for our beauty portfolio and reflects our continued focus on delivering outstanding retail experiences that customers across the region have been waiting for, and we are looking forward to more openings across the region.”
Kecia Steelman, president and CEO at Ulta Beauty, adds: “The UAE launch marks an exciting milestone for Ulta Beauty and Alshaya Group as we continue our expansion in the Middle East and bring our distinctive beauty experience to the region. We are proud of the teams who brought this vision to life and look forward to welcoming guests in Dubai to discover a destination where beauty, self-expression and possibility come together.”
Following the Mall of the Emirates opening, Ulta Beauty’s presence in the region will continue to grow with additional store openings planned at the Dubai Mall on March 27, 2026, and Red Sea Mall in Jeddah, KSA on May 7, 2026, reinforcing the brand’s long term commitment to the Middle East market.
Since opening its first store in 1990, Ulta Beauty has grown to approximately 1,500 stores across the U.S. Ulta Beauty is also expanding its presence internationally through a joint venture in Mexico, a franchise in the Middle East, and its subsidiary, Space NK, a luxury beauty retailer operating in the U.K. and Ireland. For more information, visit www.ulta.com.
Alshaya Group is a dynamic family-owned business, first established in Kuwait in 1890. With a consistent record of growth and innovation, Alshaya Group is one of the world’s leading brand franchise operators, offering an unparalleled choice of over 50 well-loved, international brands to customers. International partner brands include Starbucks, American Eagle, Footlocker, Victoria’s Secret, H&M, Bath & Body Works, Charlotte Tilbury, Raising Cane’s, Shake Shack, Chipotle and Primark. For more information, visit www.alshaya.com.
SOURCE: Ulta Beauty