Yesterday I dropped by a new department store that opened up called The District that carries a number of brands including UNIQLO and Lululemon. I was curious to check out the UNIQLO items since I tend to stock up on their t-shirts and socks whenever I’m in LA.
Just to be clear, this isn’t an official UNIQLO store. I ran into the owner while I was browsing and had a chat with him and turns out they tried bringing the UNIQLO brand to Kuwait but UNIQLO weren’t interested (even Alshaya are having trouble trying to get the brand). So, what they decided to do was buy UNIQLO products at normal retail price, ship them to Kuwait and slap their markup onto the items. How much of a markup? Well here are the prices of a bunch of random items so you can compare:
Low Cut Socks
Online: KD1.2
Kuwait: KD2
Dry Pique Short Sleeve Polo Shirt
Online: KD6
Kuwait: KD17.5
Fleece Long-Sleeve Full-Zip Jacket
Online: KD6
Kuwait: KD24
Oxford Slim Fit Long Sleeve Shirt
Online: KD9
Kuwait: KD24
Women Ezy Jeans
Online: KD12
Kuwait: KD30
Sprz NY Basquiat Short Sleeve Graphic T-Shirt
Online: KD4.5
Kuwait: KD24
Ouch right? But here is why their prices are so expensive. Stores tend to buy items at wholesale prices, so for example, if an item retails for KD10, the actual cost of the item to the store is around KD4. The KD6 difference would cover the cost of shipping, customs, salaries, rent, and profit. In this case, The District is purchasing the items at full retail price of KD10, then slapping on the cost of shipping, customs, salaries, rent and their profit resulting in the prices you see above. I didn’t check the Lululemon prices but I’m assuming its the same.
If you want to check the place out yourself, The District is located in Bida’a [Google Maps] and they’re also on instagram @thedistrict_kuwait
Thanks Aisha!
13 replies on “UNIQLO and Lululemon in Kuwait”
Thank GOD for online shopping!
It was my favourite brand for superlight quilted jackets and vests with down, before the other brands started also producing those. I saw Uniqlo items this winter also at Emall department store in Halwally at reasonable prices.
Those are ridiculous prices. Why pay 2-4 times the price when you can easily just order much more online? And if I consider the shipping cost to Kuwait, it will not be that expensive
Fashion brands like Uniqlo and Sean John keep making a mockery out of the vehemently anti-capitalist Jean Michel Basquiat and his artwork. As a hardcore Basquiat fan, I’m frankly sick of it.
In a fashion sense, it’s a bland and ugly brand, sometimes they have nice collaborations with franchises and other brands. But they do have some practical items.
Not haveing all these foreign brands available in Kuwait was a reason to travel and bring it back haha.
Mark up is so high here, even on big brand stores that should have economies of scale for import shipping prices.
I bought a jacket that was @ 75% off sale from a brand store, at home I slowly peeled the sale sticker to reveal the original retail price that was in Euros……the amount I paid 75% off in dinar was the same as the original price in Euros!!
Lol! Happened to me too.
I love Uniqlo but those prices are high even though I understand factoring in shipping, customs,etc. Online shopping just proves more effective when comparing it with the marked up prices of brands in Kuwait.
So then I really wonder what lululemon prices are like.
Simple idea guys. Just go try out the stuff here. You’ll know which size and fit you like. Go and order it online.
Order extra stuff because it’s still cheaper.
No worries about wrong fit or size.
Happy days. Lol.
I highly do not recommend this store at all. I have noticed that they convert some of the prices from dollar exact same amount directly to Kuwaiti dinar but they said its by error however i doubt it because i have checked few other items myself in the store and compared it with the online store they really doublicate the prices of the items with no logic.
Guess what also i have seen an item on their store branded Lululemon which is Made in Israel. I believe that is against the country trade agreement. I believe they managed to hide it now or resend it to back.
I hope some sort of monitoring be applied to the new small business just to protect the country finance and to avoid any money lundry transactions.
Stumbled on this post looking for Uniqlo joggers.
The District is now a restaurant lol
It always was, upstairs is clothing or at least used to be