Recent news
Aura wins accolades at the International Loyalty Awards
Winner of Best GLOBAL Loyalty Programme of the Year in the Food Retail and Non-food retail category Aura, Alshaya Group’s customer loyalty programme that rewards members across 70+ global brands, was recently recognised at the 2024 International Loyalty Awards as the Best Loyalty Programme of the Year - Food Retail and Non-food retail category. The International Loyalty Awards celebrates innovative approaches and effective strategies within the loyalty programme industry. This year, saw several global loyalty programmes compete across various categories. Among them, Aura a regional app-first loyalty programme emerged victorious, claiming an award. Since its launch in 2022, Aura has garnered 8.2 million members in five countries including KSA, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain with exceptional engagement of over 80% redemption rate. With a highly customer-centric approach, Aura has been designed to cater to diverse lifestyles and is recognised as one of the most downloaded loyalty apps in the Middle East region, with 1.75M downloads in 2023 alone. "Winning Best Loyalty Programme of the Year for Aura at the International Loyalty Awards is a tremendous honour," said John Hadden, CEO of Alshaya Group. "At Alshaya, we firmly believe that customer loyalty is the bedrock of any successful business. Aura embodies this principle by seamlessly integrating technology and personalisation to create an innovative programme that truly understands and caters to customer preferences.” From fashion to beauty, home furnishings to dining, members collect points every time they spend. Points can be used for future purchases or to access experiences such as a personalised gourmet treat, a bespoke shopping experience or a pampering beauty treatment. Aura members can earn and redeem points across their favourite brands, access a range of personalised shopping, dining, and lifestyle experiences, and receive priority notifications of promotions and sales events across a portfolio of popular brands that includes H&M, American Eagle, Mothercare, Victoria’s Secret, Shake Shack, P.F. Chang’s, The Cheesecake Factory, Bath & Body Works, Boots, M·A·C, The Body Shop, Pottery Barn, and West Elm. Customers in UAE can also redeem their Aura points at any Starbucks stores on all their Starbucks favourites. “Our purpose is to transform everyday interactions into rewarding experiences, by acknowledging our customers unique behaviour and giving back to them for being a part of Aura. This award is a powerful validation of our unwavering commitment to our customers and delivering exceptional experiences to them,” said Alshaya Group’s Director of Loyalty Nida Unas, on the win. Aura was also awarded the best new loyalty programme in GCC at the CX & Loyalty Awards MENA in 2023.
Read moreThe Starbucks Foundation and Alshaya Starbucks are committed to providing humanitarian aid in Gaza
The Starbucks Foundation and Alshaya Starbucks made a $3 million donation to World Central Kitchen for food aid; partners (employees) in the region are offering further support Starbucks has always been about more than coffee. We’re committed to contributing positively and supporting others who do so. In response to the great need for humanitarian aid in Gaza, we are donating to help provide food to people who are suffering. “We are heartbroken for all the people impacted by the situation in Gaza, and the many people at risk of hunger,” said Duncan Moir, president of Starbucks Europe, Middle East and Africa. The Starbucks Foundation and Alshaya Starbucks are supporting World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit whose work focuses on feeding crisis-impacted communities. World Central Kitchen has been a primary disaster relief partner of The Starbucks Foundation since 2019 and, with the support of The Starbucks Foundation, has spearheaded dozens of hunger relief operations, delivering aid to impacted communities in all corners of the globe, such as Lebanon and Morocco. As a result of ongoing conversations, The Starbucks Foundation and Alshaya Starbucks committed to providing the equivalent of 1 million meals to people in need in Gaza through a joint donation of $3 million to World Central Kitchen in March. To expand our support from the region, Alshaya Group and Starbucks EMEA have also launched a partner (employee) donation matching initiative aimed at raising additional funds for food aid in Gaza through World Central Kitchen. We grieve with World Central Kitchen’s team in Gaza and their families around the world. As the organization takes the time to reevaluate when its operations will resume in the region, our commitment remains unwavering. We will continue to stay close to World Central Kitchen to ensure they have the resources for their humanitarian mission to proceed. Mohammed Alshaya, Executive Chairman, Alshaya Group, said, “We are deeply saddened by the mass tragedy that is unfolding in Gaza, and our hearts are with all the people affected. We are committed to supporting our local communities and our partners and, inshallah, through these donations we will provide aid and relief to the people of Gaza.” The Starbucks Foundation is the company’s charitable giving arm that strives to positively impact people and communities by supporting nonprofit organizations in partnership with Starbucks partners, licensee partners and others. As one of Starbucks biggest and longest standing licensed partners across the world, Alshaya Group has operated Starbucks in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region since the opening of its first store in Kuwait in 1999. For more information on World Central Kitchen, please visit https://wck.org
Read moreAlo Yoga opens flagship store in UAE at The Dubai Mall
Luxury fashion and lifestyle brand Alo Yoga opened its newest flagship store at The Dubai Mall today in partnership with Alshaya Group, one of the world’s leading international retail franchise operators. The opening also marked the launch of the brand’s ecommerce shopping platform in the country. Sprawling across 833 sqm, the store’s expansive layout showcases the brands latest collections of high-performance activewear and on-trend leisurewear. An in-store organic beverage bar and yoga terrace builds on Alo’s global mission to spread mindful movement, inspire wellness, and create community. The Los Angeles-based brand aims to elevate luxury activewear from the studio to the street, with high-quality, ethically made, and environmentally friendly apparel and wellness products for both men and women. Rebecca Jobo, President of Wellness Division at Alshaya Group, said, “Dubai's thriving fitness community is a perfect match for Alo's dedication to community and experience. With the opening of Alo’s flagship store in Dubai, and online, we are looking forward to connecting with our customers, through popular activewear styles, fitness apparel and accessories. Our expansion model continues to focus on commitment and convenience, as we expand Alo into other markets.” Alo Yoga debuted in Kuwait at The Avenues in 2022. Alshaya Group is set to expand the brand into Qatar, later this year.
Read moreIntroducing Alshaya
Make every occasion special with the Alshaya Card. Top it up to the value of your choice and enjoy your Alshaya experience. Read more
Partnerships bring in new shopping opportunities. Discover a range of partnerships you can enjoy in-store or online. Read more