Ulta Beauty Expands International Footprint with First Middle East Store in Kuwait

BOLINGBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 6, 2025--

Ulta Beauty, the largest specialty beauty retailer in the U.S., today announced the opening of its first store in the Middle East. Located at The Avenues in Kuwait, the store will officially open its doors on November 7, 2025. The highly anticipated launch follows the company’s earlier announcement of its partnership with leading international retail franchise operator Alshaya Group and marks a significant milestone in Ulta Beauty’s global expansion.

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“Opening our first Ulta Beauty store in the Middle East is a proud moment for our brand and our partnership with Alshaya Group—and an important step in our global growth journey, said Kecia Steelman, President and CEO, Ulta Beauty. "The Kuwait store brings to life the unmatched experience our guests, associates, and brand partners have cherished for decades in the U.S., while incorporating unique elements that are important to the local consumer. We’re honored to share our expertise for beauty with this vibrant and passionate new community through the hard work of the teams bringing it to life.”

"Our fantastic new partnership with Ulta Beauty is another step forward for Alshaya Group as we bring the very best brands to the region, said John Hadden, CEO, Alshaya Group. “We know that beauty shoppers are excited for Ulta Beauty and can now experience the unique store environment and exclusive access to many brands for the first time in the region.”

Spanning 15,000 square feet, the store will deliver Ulta Beauty’s signature experience to the region, bringing to life the company’s hallmark model of All Things Beauty, All in One Place® through a dynamic assortment across categories and price points along with makeup, skin, brow and nail services. Showcasing over 300 highly sought-after beauty and wellness brands, including many that are new to the Middle East and part of the Only at Ulta offering. The curated assortment features several beloved US brands such as Ulta Beauty Collection, Ôrəbella, Morphe, Polite Society, LolaVie, Sacheu, Better World Fragrance House, and Snif, along with global favorites such as Peter Thomas Roth and Kiko Milano and new, emerging local brands such as Bex Beauty, Asteri, and Nadine Njeim Beauty, which will continue to evolve to meet the unique preferences of local beauty enthusiasts.

Following the Kuwait opening, Ulta Beauty and Alshaya Group will continue their regional expansion with new stores in United Arab Emirates at the Mall of the Emirates in January 2026 and Dubai Mall in March 2026. Ulta Beauty will also make its debut in Saudi Arabia with a store at the Red Sea Mall in March 2026. Additional Ulta Beauty locations are planned across the Middle East as part of the ongoing partnership with Alshaya Group.

About Ulta Beauty

Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA) is the largest specialty beauty retailer in the U.S. and a leading destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skincare, haircare, wellness and salon services. Since opening its first store in 1990, Ulta Beauty has grown to approximately 1,500 stores across the U.S. and redefined beauty retail by bringing together All Things Beauty. All in One Place ®. With an expansive product assortment, professional salon services and its beloved Ulta Beauty Rewards loyalty program, the company delivers seamless, personalized experiences across stores, Ulta.com and the Ulta Beauty App – where the possibilities are truly beautiful. 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.

Ulta Beauty at The Avenues, Kuwait

MADRID (AP) — Spain star Lamine Yamal on Wednesday condemned the anti-Muslim chants made by Spanish fans during a friendly soccer game in the latest incident to dent the nation’s sporting image.

The Spanish government and the soccer federation also condemned the chants, and police said they were investigating the behavior by fans during Tuesday's game between Spain and Egypt in the city of Barcelona.

Yamal, who is Muslim, said the chants made by part of the fans at RCDE Stadium were disrespectful and intolerable. He said it didn't matter that the chants were not directed at him personally.

“I understand that not all fans are like that, but to those who chant these things: Using a religion as a taunt on the field makes you look ignorant and racist,” he wrote on Instagram. “Football is for enjoying and cheering, not for disrespecting people for who they are or what they believe."

Racist abuse against players are not uncommon in Spain. Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior has often been subjected to racist taunts during soccer matches. Sexism has also been an issue, as Spanish soccer endured one of its most embarrassing incidents when then-federation boss Luis Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after the 2023 Women’s World Cup final. He was eventually found guilty of sexual assault.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente also condemned the anti-Muslim chants after the game, which was part of the team's preparations for the World Cup.

“I feel total and absolute repulsion towards any xenophobic or racist attitudes," he said. "They are intolerable.”

The game ended in a 0-0 draw. Egypt is a majority-Muslim country.

“Hate, racism, and xenophobia have no place in stadiums or in our society,” Milagros Tolón, the Spanish minister in charge of sports, said Wednesday.

Catalonia’s regional police said "we will investigate yesterday’s Islamophobic and xenophobic chants at the RCDE Stadium during the friendly match Spain-Egypt.”

Barcelona-based club Espanyol condemned what it called “racist behavior" at its stadium.

“Such actions are reprehensible and unacceptable, do not represent the values ​​of sport, and must be firmly condemned and eradicated from all sporting venues,” Espanyol said.

The club claimed that its supporters were being unfairly blamed for the incident in a “smear campaign” and that the national team fans came from “very diverse geographical and footballing backgrounds.”

Last year, an Espanyol fan accused of racially insulting Athletic Bilbao forward Iñaki Williams during a Spanish league game in 2020 accepted a deal to avoid prison time.

Spain is due to play Saudi Arabia at the World Cup, and also faces Cape Verde and Uruguay in Group H of the 48-team tournament. Egypt has games against Belgium, New Zealand and Iran in Group G.

Spain was hosting Egypt for the game, which had originally been expected to be played in Qatar before the region was affected by the Iran war. A “Finalissima” game there between South American champion Argentina and European champion Spain was canceled after they couldn't agree to reschedule.

FIFA didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about Tuesday's chants.

AP Sports Writer James Ellingworth contributed to this report.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Spain's Lamine Yamal controls the ball during the international friendly soccer match between Spain and Egypt in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Spain's Lamine Yamal reacts during the international friendly soccer match between Spain and Egypt in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Egypt's goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir saves during the international friendly soccer match between Spain and Egypt in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Spain's coach Luis de la Fuente reacts during the international friendly soccer match between Spain and Egypt in Barcelona , Spain, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)