The group’s presence is leaving a lasting mark in KSA
What we see on a beauty counter, the lipgloss bottles, palettes, and serums glistening and neatly lined up in rows, is only part of the story. In Saudi Arabia, the real impact stretches much further, into jobs created, women trained, and thousands of people supported through education and empowerment. The L’Oréal Groupe’s latest event in the Kingdom, The Power of Beauty, revealed how beauty can act as a catalyst for progress.
Since beginning local operations in 2012 in Saudi Arabia; L’Oréal has grown within the Kingdom through 31 brands, with the group expecting to reach more than 34 million consumers by 2030. Yet its influence extends well beyond the shelves. A socio-economic study by Paris-based consultancy Asterès revealed that L’Oréal supports 8,765 jobs and generates a total sale of SAR 3.2 billion across its entire value chain in Saudi Arabia.
Equally as intriguing is the human side of this impact. More than 35,000 people have benefitted from programmes designed to empower women, foster education, and expand opportunities for the next generation, further cementing L’Oréal as a strategic partner in the country’s Vision 2030 ambitions.
The L’Oréal Professionnel Hairdressing Academy has already trained more than 100 Saudi women, with a target of certifying 1,000 by 2029, while the longstanding L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East Regional Young Talents program has supported 57 Arab female scientists, including 16 from the Kingdom. Other efforts, such as L’Oréal Paris Stand Up Against Street Harassment in partnership with Himayah Organization, have reached over 30,000 participants, while health-focused projects like Fight With Care by La Roche-Posay have provided vital support to chemotherapy patients.
The event also marked an important leadership moment with Nicolas Hieronimus, visiting Saudi Arabia for the first time as the Global CEO of the group. Alongside Laurent Duffier, Managing Director of L’Oréal Middle East and L’Oréal Saudi Arabia, he revealed the findings of the socio-economic impact study and reaffirmed the group’s long-term commitment to the Kingdom.
To bring this story to life, L’Oréal staged an immersive exhibition and a show spotlighting young Saudi designers. Each highlighting heritage, innovation, inclusivity, women’s empowerment, and sustainability, the pillars that reflect not only L’Oréal’s strategy but also the aspirations of a new generation shaping the future of the beauty industry in Saudi Arabia.
As Saudi Arabia continues to accelerate towards Vision 2030, the sector is carving out its place in the national conversation as a lever for growth, inclusion, and progress. L’Oréal’s role in this story suggests that the future of beauty in the Kingdom will be defined as much by impact as by innovation.
Lead Images Supplied