Ounass
Location
International
Project Title
Brand Acquisition & Luxury Market Entry (2016 Launch Phase)
Overview
Ounass is the Middle East’s premier luxury e-commerce platform, offering curated global fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands to the GCC market.
At its launch in 2016, Ounass set out to redefine luxury retail in the region by introducing a digital-first, high-end shopping destination tailored to affluent Middle Eastern consumers.
During this foundational stage, we partnered with Ounass to support one of its most critical growth pillars: bringing international brands into the region and establishing strong cross-border brand relationships.
Our role focused on identifying, onboarding, and positioning global brands for successful entry into the GCC market via Ounass’ emerging luxury platform.
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The Project
The Challenge
In 2016, the GCC luxury e-commerce landscape was still developing.
Ounass faced several early-stage challenges:
Building credibility as a new luxury platform
Convincing international brands to enter the GCC market
Educating global fashion houses on regional buying behaviours
Navigating distribution sensitivities and exclusivity concerns
Establishing Ounass as a premium, brand-safe digital partner
Structuring commercial agreements across multiple territories
Luxury brands were cautious. The opportunity in the region was strong — but trust and strategic positioning were critical.
The mission was clear: position Ounass as the gateway for international luxury brands entering the Middle East.
Statergy
We supported Ounass’ launch expansion through a structured global brand acquisition and market-entry strategy:
International Brand Outreach & Relationship Development
Cross-Regional Positioning & Commercial Structuring
Luxury Market Education & Alignment
Strategic Portfolio Building at Launch Phase
The focus was long-term credibility, not short-term volume.
Global Brand Acquisition
Bringing the World to the GCC
We worked with Ounass to:
Identify high-potential luxury and contemporary brands across Europe, the UK, and the USA
Initiate and manage cross-border brand conversations
Present the GCC opportunity with data-driven market insight
Address exclusivity, distribution, and positioning concerns
Facilitate onboarding of brands entering the region for the first time
This allowed Ounass to curate a globally competitive portfolio at launch.
Market Entry & Regional Positioning
For international brands unfamiliar with the GCC market, we helped bridge:
Cultural nuances in fashion consumption
Buying power and luxury demand within UAE and Saudi Arabia
The importance of modest fashion adaptations where relevant
Regional seasonality and high-spend retail cycles
Digital-first luxury consumption trends in the Middle East
By translating regional opportunity into strategic clarity, we reduced hesitation and accelerated brand participation.
Building a Launch-Ready Luxury Portfolio
Ounass’ early credibility relied on securing respected global names.
We supported:
Portfolio diversification across ready-to-wear, accessories, and lifestyle
Balanced inclusion of heritage houses and emerging designers
Commercial frameworks aligned with long-term partnership models
Strategic brand sequencing during early launch phases
The objective was to ensure Ounass launched not just as another retailer — but as a curated luxury authority in the region.
The Results
During the launch phase:
Ounass secured multiple international brands entering the GCC via its platform
Strengthened credibility as a serious luxury e-commerce destination
Accelerated global recognition within fashion distribution networks
Established cross-border commercial relationships
Built the foundation for becoming the Middle East’s leading luxury online retailer
The early-stage brand acquisition strategy contributed to Ounass’ rapid positioning as a dominant regional player.
The Impact
Ounass is now recognised as the Middle East’s leading luxury e-commerce platform. Through strategic brand acquisition and global relationship development during its formative stage, we helped:
Strengthen the platform’s international credibility
Expand the region’s access to global luxury brands
Build trust between Western fashion houses and GCC consumers
Lay the commercial groundwork for long-term retail dominance
By aligning global luxury supply with regional demand at launch stage, Ounass transitioned from ambitious startup to regional luxury leader.
Recent Case Studies
Maison Kaizen
London Fashion Week
Arab Fashion Council x Dubai Fashion Week
