LIFE Healthcare Group and CJ Olive Young sign strategic MOU to expand K-Beauty leadership in the UAE

Abu Dhabi: Life Healthcare Group, the UAE’s leading healthcare retail and distribution conglomerate, and CJ Olive Young, South Korea’s leading health and beauty retailer, have signed a landmark MOU in Abu Dhabi to establish a long-term strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the growth of the K-Beauty category across the UAE and the wider GCC region.

The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Yeo Han-koo, Minister for Trade of the Republic of Korea, underscoring the commitment of both nations to deepening economic collaboration and advancing bilateral trade.

The MOU was signed by Adam Abdul Nazar, Deputy CEO of LIFE Healthcare Group, and Lee Suk Joon, Vice Chairman of CJ Corporation -the South Korean lifestyle conglomerate and parent company of CJ Olive Young. Senior executives from both sides attended the ceremony, reflecting the significance and scale of this partnership for the region’s beauty, retail, and wellness sectors.

A strategic step to elevate K-Beauty in the UAE

The partnership formalises a shared vision to expand, elevate, and institutionalise the K-Beauty category within the UAE, one of the world’s fastest-growing beauty and skincare markets. Under the agreement, LIFE Healthcare Group and CJ Olive Young will collaborate on:

• Category development and portfolio expansion

• Enriching customer experience and experiential retail

• Onboarding leading and emerging K-Beauty brands

• Joint marketing and consumer engagement initiatives

This collaboration positions the UAE as a regional hub for Korean beauty innovation and further strengthens economic ties between the UAE and the Republic of Korea.

Leadership comments

Adam Abdul Nazar, Deputy CEO, LIFE Healthcare Group, said: “This partnership marks a defining moment for the beauty and wellness landscape in the UAE. CJ Olive Young is globally recognised for curating cutting-edge beauty innovations, and together, we aim to bring an elevated K-Beauty experience to millions of consumers across the region. LIFE has always focused on anticipating global trends and introducing them to the UAE market, and this alliance allows us to do so at an unprecedented scale.”

Lee Suk Joon, Vice Chairman, CJ Corporation, said: “The UAE is one of the most dynamic beauty markets in the world, and we are proud to partner with Life Healthcare Group, a leader with deep market expertise and retail strength. Through this collaboration, we look forward to introducing Korean beauty brands, culture, and innovation to a broader consumer base, while building a long-term foundation for growth across the GCC.”