Apparel Group expanding Forest Essentials’ GCC footprint with new store opening in Kuwait

Luxury Indian beauty brand Forest Essentials, which is part of Apparel Group portfolio in the region, recently opened its first store in Kuwait’s 360 Mall. The brand’s foray into Kuwait aligns with Apparel Group’s plan to open 25 Forest Essentials stores in the GCC within five years, alongside the launch of the brand website and marketplaces.

“The inauguration of our second Forest Essentials store in GCC – the first store is located in Dubai Hills Mall – at the 360 Mall in Kuwait is not just an expansion, but a testament to our promise to deliver exceptional Ayurvedic skincare products to our customers. This store stands as a symbol of our partnership with Forest Essentials, representing our shared commitment to sustainability, exceptional craftsmanship, and ethical sourcing. With each store opening, we strive to establish a stronger foothold in the GCC region and elevate our customer’s shopping experience,” said Neeraj Teckchandani, CEO of Apparel Group.

Spanning 958 sqft the Forest Essentials store in Kuwait seeks to enhance the customer journey beyond just selling an extensive collection of skincare, haircare and body care products. By hosting exclusive in-store workshops, product demonstrations and seasonal promotions, the store aims to provide customers with an immersive and engaging shopping experience.

“With the Middle East increasingly standing out as an emerging hotspot for beauty brands, we are thrilled to open our flagship store in Kuwait located in 360 Mall, a key luxury shopping destination in the region. At Forest Essentials, we are constantly seeking to revive the original era of Ayurvedic skin care by revisiting ancient recipes and methodologies to create products that keep their traditional benefits intact while making it possible for the discerning consumer of today to integrate these in their everyday life, in a pleasantly sensorial and luxurious manner. With shoppers in Kuwait being early adopters of luxury skincare, we look forward to welcoming them to our store and introducing them to the world of Luxurious Ayurveda, a segment that did not exist earlier,” added Samrath Bedi, Executive Director at Forest Essentials.

Since its inception in 2001, Forest Essentials has built a robust network of over 100 company-owned retail stores across India and has a major online business, exporting products to over 120 countries worldwide. In November 2022 Forest Essentials opened its first international standalone store in London’s iconic district Covent Garden followed by opening in the UAE and now Kuwait.

Meanwhile, Apparel Group boasts a strong presence in the GCC region with over 2,025 retail stores, 80+ brands and a growing online presence. In addition, the Group’s loyalty programme Club Apparel now has five million members in the GCC region.