Luxe for Less: How Private Label Is Redefining Affordable Indulgence in MENA

Private label products are no longer relegated to the low-cost corner of retail, but rather are seen as smarter alternatives. Driven by a growing young population, rising disposable incomes, and an expanding production ecosystem in the MENA region, private label lines in the region are swiftly gaining prestige. Retailers across the region are unveiling premium-quality offerings that rival luxury brands in both quality and aesthetic appeal. 

Consumers today expect more from their private label choices. They want rich textures, refined fragrances, clear benefits and a design language that embodies elegance. Combine this with the affordability of private labels and the result is a new formula: indulgence at accessible price points.

With retailers reducing costs by cutting intermediaries, they invest these savings into premium formulations, better packaging and sharper branding. This also creates a compelling opportunity to stock private labels that feel premium, allowing you to meet consumer aspirations while maintaining strong margins.

Let’s explore how private labels are reinventing the premium space with affordable indulgence.

 

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The Consumer Shift: Premium Experiences at Practical Prices

 

Consumers in MENA now expect elevated experiences, even when seeking affordability. 

Globally, over 68% of online shoppers regard private labels as credible alternatives to branded goods and 69% see them as offering strong value, a trend mirrored in MENA, where value-conscious luxury is becoming the norm. 

Retailers are responding with tiered private label lines: mid-range staples alongside elevated, design-forward sub-brands. This segmentation allows shoppers to trade up within the same trusted store brand, offering a seamless step into premium without breaking the bank.

Buyers can command higher basket spend and customer loyalty by providing affordable products with a premium and exclusive touch.

A good example is Spinneys’ ‘Spinneys Supreme’ private-label food brand, positioned and marketed as premium and their globally sourced products that rival top brands in quality and packaging, yet cost significantly less. 

 

 

Food: Gourmet, Organic and Wellness-Focused

Walk down a grocery aisle today and it feels more like a speciality market: organic grains, gourmet treats, infused olive oils and probiotic-rich beverages are increasing under private label brands. 

This is driven by regional trends where products that offer more wellness benefits or authentic and functional ingredients get more traction. Clean labels that highlight ‘free-from’ messages quickly catch the attention of wellness-focused consumers.

Private label lines in MENA are responding to this wellness equation by teaming up with local and speciality producers, like makers of artisanal honey or functional beverage innovators, to craft authentic offerings that feel both local and premium. Spinneys, for instance, has introduced upscale organic staples and speciality dairy under its own brand, combining health with indulgence. 

Other innovators include Alesayi Beverage Co. with healthy energy drinks, BEENZ Ltd with exotic honey varieties and Neel Beverages with premium tea offerings, showing how private labels can deliver both functional and cultural appeal.
 

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Personal Care & Beauty: Clean, Halal and High-Value

The beauty shelf has seen a rise in private label skincare and fragrances that speak directly to cultural and wellness sensibilities. Clean formulations, halal-certified product lines, fragrance-centred collections and skincare free from sulfates or parabens have emerged as strong draws.

Particularly in MENA, there is a strong appetite for tailored, high-quality private label beauty and personal care products that combine innovation with clean-beauty trends, once reserved for luxe label names. 

Namshi, known for fashion, has expanded into beauty and lifestyle private labels that reflect regional sensibilities. Meanwhile, Boots Middle East has launched halal-friendly and fragrance-driven skincare lines under its own label, proving that prestige and price can coexist.

MAMIBA Cosmetics Egypt is building halal-certified beauty solutions that speak directly to regional cultural values. Similarly, Elix Perfumery Art is crafting perfumes and essential oils that emphasise both artistry and authenticity.

 

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In-Home Care: Everyday Routines Elevated

Cleaning and home care products are also undergoing a premium makeover. Elevated scent profiles like ‘lavender’ or ‘Moroccan amber’, combined with eco-friendly packaging like refill pouches or recyclable branding, reflect contemporary taste. Add soft-touch textures, minimalistic typography and dual-language labels and suddenly, cleaning supplies feel curated, not utilitarian.

Smart design isn’t limited to aesthetics. Retailers are adopting resealable, space-saving containers or including usage tips right on the label. These enhancements influence perception, making ordinary routines feel considered and indulgent.

Brands like Beyaz Kağıt, Care Mystique and Clenol are demonstrating how packaging and formulation upgrades can turn routine products into indulgent, trusted household companions.

 

Packaging & Branding: The Pulse of Luxury

Premium private label brands speak through design. Matte finishes, embossed elements, soft-touch coatings and muted colour palettes signal sophistication. Dual-language packaging underscores regional relevance and inclusivity.

Borrowing design cues from luxury brands, producers now democratise them through private labels, transforming packaging into a key driver of desirability. As these design codes become more common, the visual identity of private labels shifts perception: they are not “cheap alternatives”, but rather smart, stylish and credible choices.
 

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Retailer Strategies in the Region

Retailers across MENA are structuring their private label portfolios to span both everyday and aspirational tiers. 

For example, in the UAE, Carrefour segments its private labels so that the core Carrefour range covers everyday value, while Carrefour Selection plays the premium tier with specialised products like high-cacao chocolates and Nespresso-compatible coffee capsules. For vertical segmentation, it also runs Carrefour BIO to serve organic and health-conscious shoppers.

This allows retailers to compete effectively across different market segments, from budget-conscious shoppers to those seeking premium and gourmet options.

Strategies like these are ways to cater to different needs, while keeping customers within their ecosystem. When a shopper starts with a value option but gets hooked by quality and design, they’re more likely to trade up within that same portfolio. 

As such, private labels offer a chance to expand into premium positioning while maintaining control over price and your brand story.

A Launchpad for Innovation

 

As private labels redefine a new retail era defined by affordable luxury, a unified platform that sits at the heart of this evolution is not to be missed. From gourmet foods to premium personal care and beyond, Private Label Middle East offers a unique opportunity to source quality, observe trends and elevate your sourcing game. 

To elevate your brand portfolios, connect with key decision-makers in the region and see what’s next for affordable luxury, join us at Private Label Middle East 2025 from 15–17 September at Dubai World Trade Centre. For registration or more information, visit prime-expo.com.

 

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