Apparel Group
UAE-based fashion and retail conglomerate
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Apparel Group LLC is a UAE-based fashion and retail conglomerate company headquartered in Dubai, UAE.[2][3] Apparel Group operates more than 2500 retail stores ,[4][5][6] and is functional in 14 countries, mostly in the GCC region, such as UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, India, Pakistan, Egypt, South Africa, and Indonesia.
 | |
| Type | Private Company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fashion & Retail |
| Founded | 1996 by Sima Ved |
| Headquarters | Dubai, UAE |
| Products | Fabrics, garments, designer wear, denim, cosmetics, fashion accessories, footwear, ice cream, coffeehouse, and restaurant chain |
Number of employees | 28,000[1] |
| Website | apparelgroup |
History
Apparel Group was founded by Sima Ved in 1996. Their first venture was the franchisee of Nine West in Dubai.[7][8][9]
Brands functional under the group include Aéropostale (clothing), Nine West, Aldo Group, Charles & Keith, Tim Hortons, Dune London, Inglot Cosmetics, The Children's Place, Skechers, Cold Stone Creamery, Tommy Hilfiger (company), LC Waikiki,[10][11][12] Ardene, Beverly Hills Polo Club, Birkenstock, Call It Spring, Calvin Klein, Crocs, Forest Essentials, Hush Puppies, Levi's, Steve Madden, ASICS[13] and Toms.[14]
In April 2022, the company opened 20 stores in the Place Vendôme Mall in Lusail City, Qatar.[15] In October, Apparel Group entered into a partnership with Indian cosmetics retailer Nykaa to build Nysaa, a multi-brand beauty retail business in the GCC where Nykaa will hold a 55% stake of the entity and Apparel Group will hold 45%.[16][17][5] In March 2024, Nysaa opened its first store at the City Centre Mirdif in Dubai,[17] and in May announced a partnership with Kay Beauty, a beauty brand owned by Katrina Kaif to offer its products through Nysaa stores.[18][19]
As of February 2023, Apparel Group launched 19 new store locations in UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, KSA, and India.[20] In March, the group entered into a partnership with the Indian ayurvedic brand, Forest Essentials to distribute their skincare products through the Apparel Group's stores.[21][22] In May, Apparel Group announced the opening of 12 new retail stores at Al Khiran Mall in Kuwait.[23] In September, the group agreed with Firehouse Subs to operate 100 restaurants in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.[24] In November, in association with Forever New, the apparel group opened 3 Forever New stores in Kuwait.[25]
Through 2023, the Group launched 350 new stores in various locations and entered into partnerships with brands including Forest Essentials, Allo Beirut, and Asics.[26] In February 2024, Apparel Group launched a shoe design studio at KidZania, Dubai Mall.[27] In May, Apparel Group launched its first Forever New store at Doha Festival City in Qatar.[28][29]
In June 2024, Apparel Group launched the first branch of Allo Beirut, a Dubai-born Lebanese street food restaurant in the Al Olaya district, Riyadh.[30] In September, the company entered into a franchise partnership with Carrefour to expand into India,[31][32][33] and signed an agreement with Barbour to become its exclusive distribution partner in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar.[34] In October, Apparel Group participated in a $10 million seed funding round for UAE-based proptech startup Prypco led by Shorooq Partners.[35][36]
In October 2025, AppCorp Holding, the parent company of Apparel Group, launched KORA Properties, a real estate development company, with its first development IL VENTO announced in Dubai Maritime City.[37]
In 2026, Kora Properties, entered into a joint venture with AVENEW Development to develop O1NE District, a mixed-use commercial district in Dubai Motor City adjacent to the Dubai Autodrome.[38]
In February 2026, Apparel Group announced an omnichannel partnership to bring Australian brand Cotton On Group to India.[39] In the same month, Apparel Group's Steve Madden business launched a Ramadan campaign that included a charitable initiative donating adaptive footwear for children with disabilities across GCC countries.[40][41] In the same month, Apparel Group served as the headline partner for the 2026 RLC Global Forum, held on 3–4 February 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.[42][43]
As of February 2026, Apparel Group operated more than 800 stores in Saudi Arabia, with 150 new stores opened through 2025.[4]
In March 2026, Apparel Group's e-commerce platform, 6thStreet, entered into a partnership with the UAE's Esaad loyalty programme, allowing Esaad cardholders to receive benefits through the 6thStreet mobile application.[citation needed] In the same month, Apparel Group partnered with Dubai Holding for the "Gift It Forward" Ramadan initiative.[44]