Korea Town plans to have 50 branches across the GCC before 2028

Source: Boutiqaat Group for Perfumes and Cosmetics. The Korea Town expansion is in collaboration with Boutiqaat.

Korea Town, the prime destination for Korean beauty in Kuwait and the wider Gulf, will be expanding regionally. The company aims to open 50 branches across the GCC by end-2027. The announcement comes as Korea Town officially joins forces with Boutiqaat Group for Perfumes and Cosmetics, a regional specialist in e-commerce and digital retail.

Operating under the Powered by Boutiqaat model, Korea Town is set to accelerate its growth by leveraging Boutiqaat's advanced infrastructure, logistics, and digital capabilities. The expansion amplifies Korea Town's long-term vision of becoming a cornerstone of the Gulf's beauty retail landscape — setting new benchmarks for growth, innovation, and consumer engagement.

The expansion aligns with the reveal of Korea Town's newly-redesigned branch at The Gate Mall in Kuwait, offering shoppers an elevated retail experience that blends innovation with authentic Korean beauty culture.

With a portfolio of over 250 Korean beauty brands, Korea Town continues to strengthen its position as the Gulf's go-to hub for K-beauty. Its extensive selection spans skincare, haircare,  cosmetics, accessories, and cutting-edge lifestyle trends.

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Send partnership enquiries to kt.distribution@boutiqaat.com

Sharjah Islamic Bank opens branch at the Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

Source: SIB. HE Ahmed Saad, Deputy CEO of Sharjah Islamic Bank has opened the latest branch of SIB at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, UAE. Nabil Abou Alwan, Head of Retail Banking Group at SIB attended the opening ceremony alongside Majed Shaaban, Director of the Branches Network at SIB, Mohamed Ibrahim Alghufili, Regional Manager at SIB, SIB’s Corporate Communications team, and leading representatives of the bank.

Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) has opened a branch at the Mall of the Emirates, Dubai. The new branch will be SIB’s fifth in Dubai, and will provide extended opening hours.
 
HE Ahmed Saad, SIB Deputy CEO said: “The measures implemented by the bank reflect our vision for the future of the Islamic banking sector, especially over the next decade. By objectively assessing the future needs of the banking sector, SIB has been able to invest in technical infrastructure and digital transformation, proving its effectiveness, durability, and ability to keep pace with current changes. Through efficiently and flexibly managing its business and banking networks, SIB has successfully increased its operating profits despite the present exceptional circumstances."

HE added: "The bank remains committed to serving its loyal customer base. Through ongoing digital transformation and extending branch services to clients in various parts of the country, we will better assist our customers and provide them with access to a wide variety of banking products in accordance with the Islamic shari'ah.”

Head of SIB Retail Banking Nabil Abou Alwan said: “The opening of the latest branch aligns with SIB’s expansion goals to serve various segments of society by selecting the locations most convenient for our customers. By increasing the number of branches in strategic locations such as shopping centres, we are constantly rising to meet market demand.

"Our branches enable us to interact and communicate with our customers directly. All branches have been designed to provide an advanced, dynamic and simple banking experience that meets the needs of a wide range of customers, and enhances the bank's contribution to the economic life of the country.”

The bank has undertaken several precautionary health and safety measures, including installation of a thermal detection system for employees and customers, along with a self-sterilisation device in the main branch of the bank. All measures have been undertaken to align with the directives issued by the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) of the UAE.


Details:

The branch operates six days a week, Saturday to Thursday, from 9 am to 10 pm. Digital services are available 24x7.

Sharjah Islamic Bank also provides an integrated package of electronic services, which can be accessed on the bank’s official website  and through Mobile Banking solution which supports online payment through Samsung Pay or Apple Pay. Dial 06-5999999 to avail these services.

Gulf Air adds Dreamliner to Jeddah route

Source: Gulf Air. Bahrain's national carrier launches state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on Jeddah, KSA route.

Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, has launched its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the airline’s Jeddah, KSA route. Gulf Air’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will service a number of regional routes over the coming weeks, including Jeddah and Dubai, UAE.

Gulf Air CEO Krešimir Kučko commented: “Gulf Air’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner service to and from Jeddah over the coming weeks will give our Saudi-based travellers the chance to experience our new and enhanced offering, which is in addition to Gulf Air’s attractive flight schedule, flexible and convenient travel proposition. The coming weeks will see us expanding further in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia with new routes to the cities of Abha and Tabuk, from 15 June 2018 which will complement our current service to Dammam, Riyadh, Madinah Al Munawarah, Jeddah and Gassim.

"Having served the kingdom of Saudi Arabia since 1950 Gulf Air recognises this is a critical market and accordingly we are delighted to provide superior travel solutions that cater to the travel needs of our Saudi passengers.”

Gulf Air’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners will offer 282 seats in a two-class configuration, with 26 Falcon Gold Class seats and 256 Economy Class seats – a 32% increase in capacity on the airline’s previous wide body offering. The new aircraft will facilitate the national carrier’s expansion plans to eight new routes this year, while maintaining one of the youngest fleets in the region, building upon its award-winning reliability, on time performance and product and service standards.

In 2018, Gulf Air’s network will serve 49 cities in 26 countries. Gulf Air is committed to being an industry leader, continually enhancing its services and tailoring a product offering that best fits its passengers’ needs.