Western International Group
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| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Conglomerate |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Founder | K. P. Basheer |
| Headquarters | Techno Park, Jebel Ali, , United Arab Emirates |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | K. P. Basheer (chairman) |
| Subsidiaries | Nesto Group |
| Website | www |
Western International Group is a privately held conglomerate headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Founded by K. P. Basheer, the group operates across retail, consumer goods, electronics, home products and distribution businesses.[1][2] Its best-known retail business is Nesto Group.[3]
Western International Group traces its origins to business activities started by Basheer in Bahrain in the 1980s before expanding into the United Arab Emirates and other markets.[1][3] Forbes Middle East notes that Basheer established a shop in Bahrain called Gift Palace in 1986 and later consolidated his businesses into Western International Group.[3]
By 2018, the company had grown into a Dubai-based conglomerate spanning multiple brands and sectors, with expansion plans valued at Dh2 billion over three years.[4] Later that year, the group launched a venture capital unit focused on entrepreneurs in areas including e-commerce, trading and information technology.[5]
In 2020, the group completed a large-scale SAP S/4HANA migration project, with Zawya describing it at the time as a global holding group with multiple verticals and more than 12,000 employees.[6]
In 2025, Gulf News identified Western International Group as the company behind Nesto and said it planned to expand its Mark & Save value retail format with eight new stores across the Gulf region.[7] The group was also identified in 2025 as the new management behind the redevelopment of Safeer Mall in Sharjah, which was to reopen under the interim name Mark & Save Mall after renovation.[8][9]
Operations
Western International Group operates in retail, distribution, household goods, consumer electronics, apparel and related sectors.[1][2] Its corporate office is located in Techno Park, Jebel Ali, Dubai.[10]
The group's retail activities include hypermarkets, supermarkets and value retail formats in Gulf markets, with Nesto Group serving as its principal supermarket and hypermarket business.[3][7] A 2025 company statement carried by Zawya described Mark & Save as the group's mid-size value retail format and said the business had reached 150 retail stores across GCC markets, including Nesto and Mark & Save outlets.[11]
Companies and brands
According to the group's corporate materials, Western International Group's portfolio includes companies and brands operating in retail, consumer goods and lifestyle segments.[12] These include:
- Nesto Group, a supermarket and hypermarket chain[12]
- Geepas, an electronics and appliances brand[12]
- Royalford, a homeware and kitchenware brand[12]
- Olsenmark, an electronics brand[12]
- Younglife, a fashion and accessories brand[12]
- Parajohn, a luggage and travel accessories brand[12]
- Babyplus, a baby products brand[12]
- Brandzone, a retail format for branded goods[12]
- Mark & Save, a value retail chain[12][7]
Recognition
Forbes Middle East included Basheer in its 2021 list of top Indian business leaders in the Middle East and described Western International Group as a diversified group spanning fashion, apparel, electronics, retail and e-commerce.[3]