Winning Gen Z Wallets: What Your Private Label Strategy Might Be Missing

With a global spending power that is estimated to grow to $12 trillion by 2030, Generation Z (or Gen Z) remains a formidable group redefining market trends in the present and in the near future. Born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z is the youngest generation to enter the workforce.

In MENA, they are rewriting the rules of retail. Digitally native, proudly rooted in their culture and fiercely values-driven, they demand more than just products. They seek brands that mirror their identity and ideals.

Private label brands are uniquely positioned to deliver. A global study by Innova Market Insights found Gen Z to be the most likely demographic to purchase private label products, with 64% buying them frequently.

Why? Because private labels offer:

  • Faster time to market, adapting to trends quicker than legacy brands
     
  • Flexible pricing and packaging that aligns with Gen Z’s value-driven choices
     
  • Access to real-time consumer data, enabling tailored product decisions

Here’s how private label strategies can evolve to stay relevant and win over Gen Z in the Middle East and beyond.

Genz

Speak Their Language, Celebrate Their World

Middle Eastern Gen Z is unlike any generation that has come before it. It’s a generation deeply rooted in tradition yet plugged into global flows of culture and innovation. Brands that simply project global trends miss the point.

To connect, private label brands should:

  • Use local languages in campaigns
     
  • Collaborate with regional artists and creators
     
  • Align launches with local cultural events or social moments

For instance, Splash and Level Shoes have used the agility of their private label brands to drop collections that tap into streetwear trends and social movements unique to the region.

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Eco-Actions and Realness Over Status

Eco-consciousness isn’t just a trend for Middle Eastern Gen Z. It's a lifestyle and a baseline expectation. Globally, 62% of Gen Z prefer sustainable brands and over half are willing to pay more for ethical products.

A 2025 consumer survey by PwC found that 71% of Middle East consumers actively seek eco-friendly packaging and 75% of MENA consumers would choose to buy from eco-conscious brands. This mindset is especially strong among Gen Z shoppers who see sustainability as integral to modern identity.

Gen Z seeks ethical sourcing, community inclusion and environmental transparency. Greenwashing can quickly lead to detrimental results for the brand.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

  • Private label companies have a unique advantage here as they can establish direct control over the supply chain and materials and also pivot to eco-friendly packaging and circular initiatives.
     
  • Brands that tell authentic, locally resonant stories and empowering community voices win, not just by selling products, but by inspiring movements.

Mobile Mastery Meets Social Commerce

Over 90% of Middle East youth use social media daily. TikTok trends, viral content and influencer reviews heavily influence Gen Z’s buying behaviour.

According to a 2024 Middle East Beauty Market Report, in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, 90% of purchases are influenced by online content, including reviews and viral hashtags.

Traditional websites and shops won’t be enough anymore. Shopping has to become social, inspired by TikTok trends, shareable Instagram stories and influencer recommendations.

Private label brands that tap into trend cycles faster and invest in seamless in-app experiences, social selling and hyper-personalised content (including AR filters or custom product drops) hold a major edge.

social media
shopping

Speed And Agility: The New Retail Imperative

Gen Z doesn’t wait. Trends shift in weeks, not seasons. Agility is the secret weapon for private labels looking to stay relevant in the era of fast fashion and hyper-viral social trends.

Retailers must compress product development cycles, act on real-time data and drop new collections at the speed of online conversation. For example, Namshi’s in-house fashion lines reflect how regional private labels can respond quickly to youth trends and local tastes.

Leading private label brands are already moving from traditional seasonal calendars for product launches to short-term completion of projects using AI-driven trend forecasting, modular design, dual-track sourcing and rapid prototyping.

Brands using smart data analytics to monitor social trends and adjust product assortments are outperforming slower competitors. In a market where FOMO is real, those who launch fast and adapt quickly capture the attention and spending of Gen Z.

Brand Voices They Can Believe In


Finally, nothing is more important to Gen Z than brands that listen and genuinely engage with their communities. According to Vogue Business, 54% of Gen Zs say that their favourite brands are the ones that make them feel like they're part of a community.

Brand-customer conversations, on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, carry more marketing weight than any paid campaign. Co-creation, user-generated content and transparent engagement build both trust and excitement.

Private labels can build deeper connections by:

  • Launching co-designed collections with regional creators
     
  • Highlighting local Gen Z ambassadors
     
  • Creating forums for feedback, suggestions and engagement
shopping

Want To Go Deeper?

Discover how innovation and agility can reshape your private label strategy for Gen Z in the MENA and beyond by joining us at the Private Label Middle East 2025 from 15–17 September.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of an event where retailers, manufacturers and brand builders converge to share insights, spot trends and build the next generation of private label success stories. For registration or more information, visit prime-expo.com.

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