How Ajmal Perfumes thrived over the decades
Abdulla Ajmal, CEO of Ajmal Perfumes, told Starting Up about his plans to further grow the scent empire that his grandfather started in the 1950's,.
Plus, we get business advice on business longevity from Guillaume Giroux, CEO of Dubai Immo and Tristan Lowe, CEO of Escrow Made Easy.
Finally, we look into the big Labubu trend - is it going to fade soon? What's the next big thing, and how can businesses take advantage of it?
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Khaleej Times
18-07-2025
- Khaleej Times
UAE's perfume industry to hit $1.7 billion by 2033
The UAE — long recognised as a hub of perfumery in the Arab world — is poised to elevate its olfactory legacy to new heights. According to a recent report by a global management consulting firm, the UAE perfume market is expected to surge from $748.9 million (Dh2.75 billion) in 2024 to $1.72 billion (Dh6.3 billion) by 2033, at a compound annual growth rate of 9.22 per cent. IMARC Group noted this robust growth is being driven by a confluence of factors: 'The enduring popularity of oriental fragrances, a digitally savvy new generation of consumers, luxury tourism, and an increasing focus on sustainability and innovation.' But as the UAE's perfume sector strides towards a billion-dollar future, it remains grounded in the elements that first set it apart: craftsmanship, storytelling, and an unmatched sense of scent. With Dubai continuing to evolve as a global luxury capital, fragrance has become a vital expression of identity, culture, and status. 'While international brands have firmly established their presence in the Arabian Peninsula starting with the UAE, traditional oriental fragrances continue to be the heart of the region's olfactory identity — highly sought after not only by locals but also by Western consumers,' said Abdulla Ajmal, CEO of Ajmal Group. From its humble roots, beginning with Dh25 and the vision of late founder Haji Ajmal Ali, Ajmal Perfumes has grown into a regional empire and global player. The company opened its first Dubai store in 1976 and continues to innovate while holding fast to its heritage. 'The future of fragrance retail lies in balance. While nothing will ever fully replace the sensory richness of walking into our perfume stores, convenience-first consumers are rewriting how luxury is accessed,' said Ajmal, the founder's grandson. 'Digital innovation, personalised experiences, and strategic sampling have redefined how people explore and purchase perfumes, paving the way for a more accessible and experiential online fragrance market.' Ajmal pointed out that consumers still prefer in-store purchases for items like agarwood chips and Dahn Al Oud oils, but spray perfumes are increasingly bought online, especially for repeat purchases. Other scent designers also highlighted that for local perfumers today, one of the key challenges is standing out in a fast-paced, trend-driven digital landscape. 'With consumers in Dubai becoming more convenience-focused and digitally native, it's crucial to capture their attention quickly and meaningfully. But that's also where the opportunity lies — by embracing e-commerce, storytelling, and social media, local brands can build direct, authentic connections with niche audiences. Success now depends on being agile, innovative, and deeply in tune with both global trends and local cultural preferences, all while staying true to your brand's identity,' said Munira Rahman, chief marketing officer, director, and brand ambassador of Al Haramain Perfumes. Tradition and trend While global brands remain influential, UAE-based companies are innovating with distinctly local flavours. Homegrown brand Enliven Perfumes, for instance, is turning to a hybrid of tradition and trend. 'As UAE's homegrown perfume brand, we have looked into the needs of the younger GenX and their tastes. We found that they want something new that has the local Arab touch – such as Oudh-based perfumes – but it must smell modern,' said Khandaker Hashibuzzaman, managing director at Enliven Perfumes. 'We maintain a higher level of concentrate — at least three times higher than the average perfume available in the market — so that they last at least 18–24 hours,' he added. With new generations seeking not just scents, but stories behind them, social media has become the new scent strip. 'Fragrances come with stories and this needs to be communicated to the consumers loud and clear… We need more interesting stories behind perfume notes — that will go a long way in getting customer loyalty,' added Hashibuzzaman. 'Sustainability is gaining popularity in business activities. It is important to be trendy and if one could build in sustainability, then the story gets interesting to the customers.' Niche is the new normal Meanwhile, brands like Ahmed Al Maghribi Perfumes are curating unique, limited-edition offerings to cater to young, experience-driven shoppers. 'Ahmed Al Maghribi Perfumes is embracing this shift by creating modern, niche collections that reflect a fusion of Emirati heritage and contemporary taste,' said Kafeel Ahmed Gudekar, CEO and founder of the brand. 'We partner with regional influencers and reviewers to build trust and connect with digital-native audiences. We offer personalised gifting options and exclusive lines that feel bespoke and culturally relevant.' Culture meets commerce With Dubai welcoming more than 17 million visitors in 2023, the synergy between tourism, luxury retail, and perfume culture is stronger than ever. The sensory appeal of the UAE's fragrance offerings often becomes a tangible souvenir for travellers seeking an immersive experience. According to Euromonitor, the GCC region's appetite for premium and niche scents has grown significantly over the past five years, with the UAE leading the charge. The rise of experiential perfume bars, custom blending studios, and AI-powered scent consultations across the Emirates signals a new phase in fragrance retail — where legacy meets lifestyle. Dubai Duty Free recently announced that half-year sales posted a 5.34 per cent year-on-year increase, with turnover reaching Dh4.118 billion for the first six months of 2025. Perfumes, beverages, cigarettes and tobacco, gold, and confectionery retained the top five category positions. Perfume sales reached Dh744.24 million, contributing 18 per cent of total revenue and showing an increase of five per cent over the same period last year. Sharon Beecham, senior vice-president — purchasing at Dubai Duty Free, said: 'The key drivers in fragrances growth are the niche perfumes, the Dubai Duty Free or Travel Retail exclusive products and the strong new launches. We will continue to expand the offer of niche fragrances, which are already showing a double-digit growth. In partnership with the top perfume brands we have plans for the second half of this year and for 2026, to launch new exclusive products and activate tactical promotions.'
Dubai Eye
04-07-2025
- Dubai Eye
How Ajmal Perfumes thrived over the decades
Starting up with Virtuzone Abdulla Ajmal, CEO of Ajmal Perfumes, told Starting Up about his plans to further grow the scent empire that his grandfather started in the 1950's,. Plus, we get business advice on business longevity from Guillaume Giroux, CEO of Dubai Immo and Tristan Lowe, CEO of Escrow Made Easy. Finally, we look into the big Labubu trend - is it going to fade soon? What's the next big thing, and how can businesses take advantage of it? See for privacy information.
Sharjah 24
20-06-2025
- Sharjah 24
Labubu dolls ride China soft-power wave
Beijing-based Pop Mart is part of a rising tide of Chinese cultural exports gaining traction abroad, furry ambassadors of a "cool" China even in places associated more with negative public opinion of Beijing such as Europe and North America. Labubus, which typically sell for around $40, are released in limited quantities and sold in "blind boxes", meaning buyers don't know the exact model they will receive. The dolls are "a bit quirky and ugly and very inclusive, so people can relate", interior designer Lucy Shitova told AFP at a Pop Mart store in London, where in-person sales of Labubus have been suspended over fears that fans could turn violent in their quest for the toys. "Now everything goes viral... because of social media. And yes, it's cool. It's different." While neighbouring East Asian countries South Korea and Japan are globally recognised for their high-end fashion, cinema and pop songs, China's heavily censored film and music industry have struggled to attract international audiences, and the country's best-known clothing exporter is fast-fashion website Shein. There have been few success stories of Chinese companies selling upmarket goods under their own brands, faced with stereotypes of cheap and low-quality products. "It has been hard for the world's consumers to perceive China as a brand-creating nation," the University of Maryland's Fan Yang told AFP. Pop Mart has bucked the trend, spawning copycats dubbed by social media users as "lafufus" and detailed YouTube videos on how to verify a doll's authenticity. Brands such as designer womenswear label Shushu/Tong, Shanghai-based Marchen and Beijing-based handbag maker Songmont have also gained recognition abroad over the past few years. "It might just be a matter of time before even more Chinese brands become globally recognisable," Yang said. TikTok effect Through viral exports like Labubu, China is "undergoing a soft-power shift where its products and image are increasingly cool among young Westerners," said Allison Malmsten, an analyst at China-based Daxue Consulting. Malmsten said she believed social media could boost China's global image "similar to that of Japan in the 80s to 2010s with Pokemon and Nintendo". Video app TikTok -- designed by China's ByteDance -- paved the way for Labubu's ascent when it became the first Chinese-branded product to be indispensable for young people internationally. Joshua Kurlantzick from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) told AFP that "TikTok probably played a role in changing consumers' minds about China". TikTok, which is officially blocked within China but still accessible with VPN software, has over one billion users, including what the company says is nearly half of the US population. The app has become a focus of national security fears in the United States, with a proposed ban seeing American TikTok users flock to another Chinese app, Rednote, where they were welcomed as digital "refugees". A conduit for Chinese social media memes and fashion trends, TikTok hosts over 1.7 million videos about Labubu. Labubumania Cultural exports can "improve the image of China as a place that has companies that can produce globally attractive goods or services", CFR's Kurlantzick told AFP. "I don't know how much, if at all, this impacts images of China's state or government," he said, pointing to how South Korea's undeniable soft power has not translated into similar levels of political might. While plush toys alone might not translate into actual power, the United States' chaotic global image under the Trump presidency could benefit perceptions of China, the University of Maryland's Yang said. "The connection many make between the seeming decline of US soft power and the potential rise in China's global image may reflect how deeply intertwined the two countries are in the minds of people whose lives are impacted by both simultaneously," she told AFP. At the very least, Labubu's charms appear to be promoting interest in China among the younger generation. "It's like a virus. Everyone just wants it," Kazakhstani mother-of-three Anelya Batalova told AFP at Pop Mart's theme park in Beijing. Qatari Maryam Hammadi, 11, posed for photos in front of a giant Labubu statue. "In our country, they love Labubu," she said. "So, when they realise that the origin of Labubu is in China, they'd like to come to see the different types of Labubu in China."
