Category: Shopping

Back in February I bought the Wolfbox electric air duster from Amazon. It had excellent reviews and in every comparison test it usually beat out the competition. I had it on my wish list for awhile and then when it dropped down to $62 I ordered one. That was before Amazon shipped free to Kuwait so I ended up paying $83 with shipping to Kuwait so say KD26.5 with my banks conversion rate.

I just found out that it’s now available locally for KD25, basically the same price I paid for it. The price of the blower is now $90 on Amazon and even through it’s free shipping to Kuwait there is an $11 import charge so the price locally is actually cheaper than Amazon. If you want one, it’s available here.

Pêche quietly opened in Thuraya Mall late last year, but they recently expanded and the store is now pretty massive, nearly taking up an entire side of the mall. The store is filled with carefully curated items, from books and candles to decorative pieces and home accessories.

I knew Pêche (pronounced pesh) back when it was November Blooms in Mayar Complex, Shuwaikh. Before that, it was Things by November, located in Tilal Complex before it burnt down. The concept is by Bibi Hayat, who’s also behind @novemberandco and the popular events company @bibihayat_events.

I used to pass by the Mayar store whenever I had a gift to give, since they offered a wrapping service with a great selection of premium paper, and I could also pick up a card, some flowers, or even a cake. When Bibi closed the Mayar location to move to Thuraya, she decided to rebrand November Blooms as Pêche, which has a double meaning. Pêche means peach, a color she loves, but it also means fishing, which is an ode to her late father who was passionate about it. The fishing reference ties into the concept as well, since she enjoys discovering unexpected accessories and curiosities.

Bibi has always had great taste, and the new store is full of beautiful things. With the larger space, she can now host pop-ups as well. Recently, she had an antiques pop-up, and before that, a selection of secondhand designer pieces from weddings. So there’s always something going on.

If you want to pass by and check the place out, Pêche is located in the same mall as @ode.eatery and @ohg.kw in Salmiya (Google Maps). They’re open daily (including Fridays) from 9AM to 9PM. @thepechelife

Looks like there are more Switch 2’s in Kuwait than people actually want them. I was at Xcite Avenues yesterday and noticed they’re now selling the Switch 2 with Mario Kart World bundle for KD175, and the console only version for KD150.

Blink are selling the combo for slightly cheaper at KD173 as well and I’m sure there are probably even cheaper prices elsewhere. So if you wanted to wait till prices dropped to something reasonable, you’re in luck.

Update: Game Store selling the combo for KD170

If you’ve passed by Harvey Nichols recently, you probably noticed part of the ground floor was closed off. That’s because the store is getting a facelift. A couple of days ago, they opened up the renovated section and closed off a new area to continue the revamp.

Although the revamped area is pretty small, it’s enough to give you an idea of the direction they’re heading in (some elements have a bit of a 60s vibe). I like the new look but don’t judge it based on my photos alone. My colors are a bit off and the place was busy, so I had limited angles to shoot from without people in the frame.

Harvey has been open since November, 2012.

I had a really hard time finding a Pro Controller 2 for my Switch 2 since they were sold out everywhere. But this morning I picked one up from Game Store. I saw on their instagram story they had a few in store but were not available online. So I got in touch with them by WhatsApp and they told me it was only available at Game Store Avenues and Kout Mall.

Thankfully I was able to purchase it and pay for it through WhatsApp yesterday, and just headed there this morning to pick it up.

As of this post they still have a few in stock and they’re selling them for KD32.9

I actually have the original Pro Controller 1 but Nintendo being Nintendo are only allowing the new Pro Controller 2 to wake up the Switch 2 from sleep mode. That means every time I want to play I need to reach behind my TV where I have my Switch 2 dock and turn it on before turning my controller on. Super annoying. With the new controller I’ll be able to turn it on from the controller itself like a normal gaming system.

Kuwait’s favorite hardware store, Bin Nisf, just got a major makeover. Last week, they closed down their old location and opened in a brand new building right behind the original store. I tend to do a lot of DIY work at home and on my cars, and both Bin Nisf and Ace Hardware have been lifesavers. Between the two, there’s hardly anything I can’t find in Kuwait.

The new store is much bigger than the old one, and according to an employee, they’re still expanding. The old location is also going to get revamped and eventually connect to the new space once it’s done. I honestly have no idea what they’re going to do with all that room.

If you’ve never been to Bin Nisf, they’re a hardware store that’s been around since 1970 and carry everything from screws to power tools. You’ll find professionals shopping there, but also DIY hobbyists like me. It’s the place to go, and their prices are usually much cheaper than the market.

If you’re a Bin Nisf regular, everything is a lot more organized now. The old space had gotten pretty messy over the past couple of years after they closed down half the store for the revamp. The new store is now split across two floors, with the main section located in the basement. The aisles are wider and longer, there’s clear signage, and all the items are neatly displayed. It’s a huge improvement.

If you go, don’t do what I did and park outside the old store, then walk around to the back. Once I got to the new location, I realized there was plenty of parking right there. Google Maps still points to the old store but if you want a map of the exact location, they’ve posted one on their Instagram account @binnisfkw although it really is easy to find since it’s just the building behind it.

Note: I couldn’t find the Bin Nisf cat that used to sleep on the shelves, no idea where he hangs out now.

Something really weird happened to me yesterday. I was ordering the new AirFly Pro 2 (it’s a device that allows me to connect two bluetooth headphones to my iPad) and as I was checking out I noticed that Amazon weren’t charging me for shipping to Kuwait. It was making me pay the import charges, but shipping was free.

I placed the order and just a few moments ago it shipped to Kuwait using Aramex. So I just went through my wishlist to see if this was just a one time thing, or specific product offer, and nope, turns out a lot of the items on my wishlist can now be shipped to Kuwait for free which is crazy.

Turns out Amazon.com (US) has now introduced free delivery to Kuwait when you purchase one or more eligible items with an order value of USD 59 or more.

This is a game changer!

Yesterday’s post inspired me to put together this list of local lifestyle brands I love. Some of these are brands I have a personal connection with, while others I just appreciate for their story or aesthetic. I’m hoping you might not have heard of some of them yet, but that you’ll end up loving them when you do.

Ecru
Limited collections of objects, furniture, and clothing inspired by the ethos and culture of Arab hospitality.

ET Cetra
Contemporary lifestyle supplier store where everyday objects are celebrated for their function, simplicity, and design.

From Mud
Ceramics studio specializing in designing and creating handmade tableware and objects.

Happy Herbalist
A 100% natural, cruelty-free organic skincare brand that uses clean ingredients sourced from around the world.

Hind
Curated handmade clothing and accessories from around the world, crafted by artisans to support families, education, and a sustainable future.

Hot Mess
Sleepwear and loungewear designed not to be perfect, but to feel good, look cute, and live real.

Khaneh
Curated selection of authentic and handmade pieces that add warmth, depth, and character to your home.

Pantera Furtiva
Blends minimalism with an appreciation for quality craftsmanship in handcrafted footwear.

Ra
A MENA-inspired, ungendered, and seasonless brand, all handmade by local craftspeople and made to order in their Kuwait City studio.

SOM Active
State of Mind Active is a fashion-focused recreational apparel brand with a wellness-driven mindset.

Sonder Goods
Unique, high-quality stationery and design-focused products, with collaborations from local, regional, and international creatives.

The Soap Box
Natural luxury soap and skincare using lavender they grow in Ireland.

Zeri Craft
Blends Khaleeji cultural inspiration with contemporary design, creating simple, functional objects that honor tradition and sustainability, all handcrafted by skilled artisans.

Hamleys, the world’s oldest toy store, just opened a new location at The Avenues. When Hamleys first opened in Kuwait back in 2020, I was a bit surprised they chose to open at The Gate Mall instead of The Avenues. I found that store small and too far out of my way to ever want to visit. But a few days ago, they opened their new location in Phase 1 of The Avenues, and I feel this is the one they should have opened back then.

The new Hamleys is bigger and more inviting although still tiny compared to the Hamleys flagship store in London. I think it’s also slightly smaller than the Fantasy Land store in The Avenues, but it’s filled with lots of toys including dedicated Hot Wheels, LEGO, Barbie and Play-Doh areas. There is also a Build-A-Bear Workshop inside the store.

The opening of this new store feels like a relaunch of the brand in Kuwait, since their Instagram account has deleted all traces of the previous store and positioned themselves as if they’re just opening in Kuwait for the first time.

If you want to check out the new store, it’s located on the ground floor of Phase 1 next to Foot Locker (not to be confused with the Foot Locker in Phase 3 or the one at The Forum). To make things slightly more confusing, Hamleys’ profile says they’re open in Avenues Phase 2, but the map on The Avenues website says Phase 1 🤷🏼‍♂️. Here’s their Instagram @hamleyskuwait

The other day I published Switch 2 prices in Kuwait, and I have some updates.

Firstly, 3R Store (3roodq8) started the pre-order on the Nintendo Switch 2 console and they’ve currently got the cheapest price in Kuwait. They’re selling the console (not the bundle) for KD170, so 10KD cheaper than everyone else. Link

Secondly, Best, Eureka and Xcite are all offering additional things with their bundles. Best are including 1-year of Nintendo Online with their offer, Eureka are offering screen protectors, and Xcite are including headphones.

Finally, a reader let me know you can pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 from the Amazon.fr store and they’ll ship it straight to Kuwait. The Switch 2 + Mario Kart Bundle will cost 183KD shipped to Kuwait including customs. So around 15KD cheaper than Kuwait prices plus you have the benefit of getting it before the shops in Kuwait.

On a side note, I was checking to see if Amazon.ae carried the Switch 2, they don’t, but I did find the new Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones for sale. They have a pre-order offer now where they’ll include the Sony ULT10 portable speaker for free if you order before the June 17th regional launch date. Total price shipped to Kuwait is KD153. Amazon.com price is KD137 not including tax and shipping plus you don’t get the portable speaker.

Starting today, it’s Puff Week! Puff Kuwait’s biggest sale of the year is here, just in time for summer. Beat the heat with ice-cold sips in colors that match your vibe.

The sale is live now on Boutiqaat, and starting tomorrow, you’ll also find it in-store at Assima Mall, Gate Mall, Marina Mall, and Kout Mall.

For more info, head to @trypuff.

Lil Baby App is a new approach to parenting, designed to make life easier for parents. The Kuwait-based app, created by a pediatrician, offers the ability to create regular orders for baby supplies and subscription boxes for essentials like milk, diapers, wipes, and snacks. Orders can be placed for fast delivery or scheduled in advance, with free delivery for next-day orders.
 
There are several advantages to using Lil Baby including:
 
Prices & Subscription Packages
For both regular orders as well as subscriptions, the prices on the app are often more affordable than those found in supermarkets. Additionally, the app offers further savings through subscription packages. For instance, instead of buying diapers weekly, you can set up a one-month subscription and enjoy a discounted rate when paying upfront. These subscription packages are not only cost-effective but also convenient as they eliminate the need to repeatedly order the same items.
 

Free Delivery
If you need your items urgently, they can be delivered within 45 minutes for a nominal fee. However, if you don’t mind waiting until the next day, delivery is completely free.
 
Items Availability
As a parent you’ve likely faced situations where a supermarket or delivery app didn’t have your preferred diaper size, your baby’s milk brand, or their favorite snacks in stock. Lil Baby understands these frustrations, which is why they make it a priority to keep every brand, item, and size available always, ensuring you never have to deal with that inconvenience.
 
Customer Service
The owner grew up ordering from online brands like Amazon, where he experienced top-notch customer service. Inspired by them, he made customer satisfaction one of Lil Baby’s utmost priorities.

Finally, what truly sets this app apart is the added value of having a pediatrician providing informed medical guidance. For instance, you won’t find cough syrups for sale in the app but instead a message from the American Academy of Pediatrics on why that is the case. Additionally, the app features an ‘Activity’ category where Dr. Abdallah shares insightful news and articles related to parenting and childcare.
 
For more info head to @lilbabykw

Ya Hala, the biggest shopping festival in Kuwait’s history, kicked off a few days ago. I was at The Avenues and noticed tons of shops offering discounts. It’s super easy to tell which ones are participating in the festival by the Ya Hala stickers stuck outside on their displays.

For the next ten weeks, every 10 dinars you spend will earn you a coupon for a draw. Each week, you could win one of 12 cars or a share of $100,000, divided among 100 winners.

Stay updated on the festival by following @yahalakuwait and @whatsonyahala

Ya Hala, the largest shopping festival in Kuwait’s history, is launching in just a few days, and they’ve just announced 120 cars up for grabs!

Over ten weeks, there will be weekly draws for 12 cars, which is pretty insane—and that’s not even counting the millions of dinars in additional prizes.

Stay updated on the festival by following @yahalakuwait and @whatsonyahala.

Not sure if the website is new or not but @q8nitro has been posting about it recently so I just found out about it. It’s a much better site than Q8Car thats for sure, and the cars on it are more interesting. Only weird thing is that I don’t think they remove cars after they’ve sold. There are cars there listed back in 2019, not sure why they’re just leaving them since it makes the overall website less useful and misleading. Link