Bloomingdale’s licensees in the Middle East launch Ounass to conquer local e-commerce

The Al Tayers, a Dubai-based conglomerate that today stands as the largest luxury retailer in the Middle East, said it will launch its first online retail business, a luxury e-commerce brand called Ounass.

It will serve the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar and will be a dual language Arabic and English site. As advanced by the venture’s executives, the online shopping platform will sell a selection of women’s clothing, footwear, handbags, jewellery, cosmetics and home merchandise from designer brands around the world, including Gucci, Roland Mouret, Rami Al Ali and Ayesha Depala.

The company said it would deliver goods for free. Other innovations include the option for consumers to pay by cash on delivery as well as an in-home personal styling service, and easy exchanges and returns.

It said that Dubai residents would be able to receive their orders in less than two hours, with same-day delivery for anyone based elsewhere in the UAE. GCC residents outside the UAE will receive their purchases within 48 hours.

"Ounass.com offers the Middle Eastern customer relevant merchandise, and content shot locally and created specifically for her lifestyle, together with a service promise unparalleled by any other regional e-retailer," said Khalid Al Tayer, the chief executive of Al Tayer Insignia, the retail business of Al Tayer Group.