Western International Group

Western International Group
TypePrivate company
IndustryConglomerate
Founded1983
FounderK. P. Basheer
HeadquartersTechno Park, Jebel Ali,
Dubai
,
United Arab Emirates
Area served
Worldwide
Key peopleK. P. Basheer (chairman)
SubsidiariesNesto Group
Websitewww.westerninternationalllc.com

Western International Group is a privately held conglomerate headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Founded by K. P. Basheer, the group operates across retail, consumer goods, electronics, home products and distribution businesses.[1][2] Its best-known retail business is Nesto Group.[3]

History

Western International Group traces its origins to business activities started by Basheer in Bahrain in the 1980s before expanding into the United Arab Emirates and other markets.[1][3] Forbes Middle East notes that Basheer established a shop in Bahrain called Gift Palace in 1986 and later consolidated his businesses into Western International Group.[3]

By 2018, the company had grown into a Dubai-based conglomerate spanning multiple brands and sectors, with expansion plans valued at Dh2 billion over three years.[4] Later that year, the group launched a venture capital unit focused on entrepreneurs in areas including e-commerce, trading and information technology.[5]

In 2020, the group completed a large-scale SAP S/4HANA migration project, with Zawya describing it at the time as a global holding group with multiple verticals and more than 12,000 employees.[6]

In 2025, Gulf News identified Western International Group as the company behind Nesto and said it planned to expand its Mark & Save value retail format with eight new stores across the Gulf region.[7] The group was also identified in 2025 as the new management behind the redevelopment of Safeer Mall in Sharjah, which was to reopen under the interim name Mark & Save Mall after renovation.[8][9]

Operations

Western International Group operates in retail, distribution, household goods, consumer electronics, apparel and related sectors.[1][2] Its corporate office is located in Techno Park, Jebel Ali, Dubai.[10]

The group's retail activities include hypermarkets, supermarkets and value retail formats in Gulf markets, with Nesto Group serving as its principal supermarket and hypermarket business.[3][7] A 2025 company statement carried by Zawya described Mark & Save as the group's mid-size value retail format and said the business had reached 150 retail stores across GCC markets, including Nesto and Mark & Save outlets.[11]

Companies and brands

According to the group's corporate materials, Western International Group's portfolio includes companies and brands operating in retail, consumer goods and lifestyle segments.[12] These include:

  • Nesto Group, a supermarket and hypermarket chain[12]
  • Geepas, an electronics and appliances brand[12]
  • Royalford, a homeware and kitchenware brand[12]
  • Olsenmark, an electronics brand[12]
  • Younglife, a fashion and accessories brand[12]
  • Parajohn, a luggage and travel accessories brand[12]
  • Babyplus, a baby products brand[12]
  • Brandzone, a retail format for branded goods[12]
  • Mark & Save, a value retail chain[12][7]

Recognition

Forbes Middle East included Basheer in its 2021 list of top Indian business leaders in the Middle East and described Western International Group as a diversified group spanning fashion, apparel, electronics, retail and e-commerce.[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "About Us". Western International Group. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Western International LLC - Company Details". Zawya. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Shabbir, Ahsan (23 January 2021). "K P Basheer". Forbes Middle East. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  4. ↑ "UAE conglomerate invests Dh2 billion in expansion". Gulf News. 15 September 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  5. ↑ "Western International creates venture capitalist unit". Gulf News. 5 November 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  6. ↑ "Western International implements region's largest retail brownfield SAP S/4 HANA migration project with cloud". Zawya. 12 December 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 "8 new Mark & Save stores to open across UAE, GCC in 6 months". Gulf News. 23 September 2025. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  8. ↑ "Revealed: The real story behind closure of Safeer Mall in Sharjah". Gulf News. 3 April 2025. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  9. ↑ "Safeer Mall Sharjah closure: New management reveals interim name, renovation plan". Gulf News. 5 April 2025. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  10. ↑ "Contact Us". Western International Group. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  11. ↑ "Western International Group opens 17th Mark & Save value retail superstore in Ajman". Zawya. 21 February 2025. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Group of Companies". Western International Group. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
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