Chalhoub Group, L’Occitane MENA empowering start-ups

Luxury retailer Chalhoub Group and beauty brand L’Occitane MENA have kickstarted their first retail-tech Accelerator Programme powered by The Greenhouse.

Over 180 applications were received from the region and across the globe and finally four retail startups were selected across the tech, beauty and luxury sectors including Momenti from South Korea and New York; Confer With from the UK; ; Emperia from the UK and the US; and Sleekflow from Hong Kong.

The start-ups will be offered the unique opportunity to work alongside L’Occitane MENA to develop a proof of concept over the next four months with the aim to enhance its omni-channel journey and personalised experiences, data-driven decision making and its regional brand relevance and Gen-Z attraction.

Each of the four start-ups will come to Dubai and be allocated to a taskforce within the L’Occitane MENA and Greenhouse team, who will provide mentorship, business growth advice and resources throughout the entire process as they work together to implement new edge retail-tech solutions and develop a proof of concept for the regional market.

“The Greenhouse is the Chalhoub Group’s space for innovation and entrepreneurship and is continuously committed to empowering the start-up ecosystem and implementing innovative solutions for our partners. The L’Occitane retail-tech accelerator programme is bringing the world’s most innovative minds as we work together to enhance the region’s ever-evolving and rapidly growing luxury retail sector,” said Joaquin Mencia, Chief Innovation Officer at Chalhoub Group.

“At L’Occitane MENA we are very excited to kickstart our first retail-tech accelerator programme in partnership with Chalhoub Group and The Greenhouse. Over the next four months, these start-ups will showcase tailor-made proof of concepts and implement their new age retail tech solutions with L’Occitane for the first time in the Middle East, with the aim to bring new opportunities, elevate the brand’s regional presence and customer experience,” added Joseph Kedemos, Managing Director at L’Occitane MENA.

Following the proof-of-concept development phase, an official demo day will take place in May 2023 to give each of the startups the opportunity to present their proof of concepts to key internal stakeholders across The Greenhouse, L’Occitane MENA and Chalhoub Group. The programme will also potentially offer the entrepreneurs the chance to sign long-term commercial agreements with L’Occitane MENA and other Chalhoub Group brands.