Prime Highlight:
- Rising domestic demand and strong Gulf interest are attracting new investors to Saudi Arabia’s perfume market.
- Local brands like Amour, Oud Al-Edan, and Vanilla are seeing rapid sales growth and expanding online and offline presence.
Key Facts:
- Online sales contribute 10–15% of revenue for Oud Al-Edan, while Vanilla earns SR50,000–100,000 during 10-day exhibitions.
- Seasonal fragrance preferences vary: citrus year-round, light fruit/herbal in summer, and warm oud, leather, and amber in winter.
Background
Saudi Arabia’s perfume market is attracting new investors even as shelves fill with local and global brands. Industry players say rising domestic demand and strong Gulf interest leave room for new labels to grow.
At the Blue Oud and International Perfumes Exhibition in Riyadh, Badr Al-Sayyed, founder of the “Amour” perfume brand, said he invested about SR250,000 to launch his business. The brand started in September 2025 with online sales, pricing each bottle at around SR249. Al-Sayyed plans to open physical outlets in the Eastern Province within two years.
He said the online store records over 7,000 monthly visits from across the Gulf, with sales rising 5 to 8% between September and December 2025. Saudi Arabia leads in sales, followed by the UAE, Oman and Bahrain. He described profit margins in the sector as excellent.
Naif Al-Juwair from Oud Al-Edan said Moroccan Dead oud is the company’s top seller, preferred for its cool and long-lasting incense scent. The firm sources oud from Indonesia and Vietnam and operates five offices outside the Kingdom. He added that online sales form 10 to 15% of revenue, while total sales grew up to 70% last year. Kuwait ranks second in buying power after Saudi Arabia.
Abdulrahman Baraka, marketer for the Vanilla brand, said Saudi buyers generate 80 to 90% of sales, with the UAE and Qatar following. The brand sells bottles for about SR300 and earns between SR50,000 and SR100,000 during 10-day exhibitions, often outperforming regular stores.
Seasonal demand drives fragrance trends. People use citrus scents all year, but in summer, they prefer light fruit and herbal smells. In winter, they choose warm scents like oud, leather, and amber. France and Turkey produce most oils, and Saudi Arabia manufactures them, reflecting the country’s growing role in the global fragrance trade.
