Apparel Group inks deal to bring 24 global labels into Saudi

Apparel Group and Arabian Alesaar Group have struck a retail alliance to introduce 24 international brands across more than 9,000 sqm at the forthcoming Al Shubaily Grand Mall in Saudi Arabia. The agreement positions the partners to capture demand in one of the region’s fastest-growing markets and expands Apparel Group’s strategic footprint in the Kingdom.

Under the partnership, Apparel Group will bring a mix of fashion, lifestyle, beauty and F&B brands including Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Birkenstock, Skechers, Crocs, Levi’s, Charles & Keith, Rituals, Tim Hortons, and Cold Stone Creamery among others. The range spans apparel, footwear, beauty and food & beverage, combining merchandise that appeals across categories. The deal is intended to dovetail with Saudi Arabia’s retail and tourism ambitions.

Apparel Group already has a significant presence in the Kingdom. It recently opened three new R&B outlets in Dhahran, Riyadh Gallery and Nakheel Mall — bringing the total number of R&B stores to 165 across the Middle East and India. The Nakheel location covers 2,500 sqm, making it one of the largest in Riyadh. The R&B concept covers men’s, women’s and children’s wear, footwear, accessories and home products. The expansion underscores the group’s goal of penetrating deeper into the Saudi market.

Chief Executive Officer Neeraj Teckchandani commented that the tie-up with Arabian Alesaar represents a strategic milestone in the group’s Saudi journey and will enable customers to engage with brands that combine global appeal with local relevance. He reiterated that Apparel Group is prioritising experiential retail, mall partnerships and omnichannel integration in its growth plan.

Market watchers see the deal as aligned with the accelerating growth of Saudi retail infrastructure. Analysts note that more than 30 new malls are in development across the Kingdom over the next few years, creating opportunities for global retail brands and investors. Apparel Group has earlier signed MoUs with mall developers such as Point and Mall of Dhahran to secure anchoring positions in new properties.

The partnership also reflects Apparel Group’s broader regional expansion strategy. The group now operates over 2,300 stores across 14 countries, representing more than 85 brands. It has been actively signing new labels in fashion, beauty, home and F&B segments to diversify its portfolio and diminish reliance on any single category.