Sapphire Retail Limited

Last updated
Sapphire Retail Limited
Company typePrivate
IndustryRetail, Textile
Founded2014
FounderNadeem Abdullah
Number of locations
50+ (Pakistan), 2 (United Kingdom) (2024)
Area served
Pakistan, United Kingdom, Online
Key people
Nabeel Abdullah (CEO)
ProductsFabrics, Apparel, Accessories
RevenuePKR 32.74 billion (FY 2024) [1]
Website Sapphire Online

SAPPHIRE is a Pakistani fashion brand specializing in Eastern clothing and textiles. Headquartered in Lahore, it operates as a retail subsidiary of Sapphire Group, a textile conglomerate. Established in 2014, SAPPHIRE produces and sells ready-to-wear apparel, unstitched fabrics, accessories, and fragrances for men and women. As of December 2024, the brand has expanded to approximately 50 retail stores across Pakistan, including locations in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. It also operates an e-commerce platform catering to customers in over 20 countries.

Contents

History

Origins and Development

Sapphire Group, a Pakistan-based textile manufacturing conglomerate, founded Sapphire Retail Ltd. in 2014 as its dedicated retail division. The group, established in 1969 by Mian Mohammad Abdullah, initially focused on textile production, later expanding into spinning and weaving operations. [2] . In the 1990s, the company diversified its textile offerings. SAPPHIRE launched its first retail store in Karachi in 2014, offering a collection of women’s clothing, fabrics, and menswear. [3]

Expansion and International Growth

SAPPHIRE focuses on ethnic wear and women's apparel, offering a range of casual, formal, and semi-formal clothing. Over the years, the brand introduced new product lines, including fragrances, a Western sub-brand (SAPPHIRE WEST), and a children’s collection. [4] By 2024, Sapphire operated over 45 retail outlets across Pakistan and served both local and international customers through its e-commerce platform. [5] [6]

In October 2024, the brand expanded internationally, opening its first store in The Broadway Mall, Bradford, United Kingdom. This was followed by locations in Bull Ring shopping center, Birmingham, UK, and City Centre Mall, Sharjah, UAE in early 2025. [7] [8] [9] [10] Additionally, two international e-commerce platforms were launched: one dedicated to the UK market and another catering to global customers outside Pakistan. [11]

According to the Pakistan Credit Rating Agency (PACRA), SAPPHIRE Retail Limited has shown significant growth, with a 52.9% year-over-year increase in revenue, reaching PKR 32.74 billion in FY24. This growth was driven primarily by the ready-to-wear (RTW) segment, followed by unstitched fabric and fragrances. [1]

Manufacturing

SAPPHIRE manages its own supply chain, from manufacturing to retail, a model commonly adopted by vertically integrated textile firms. The company produces a significant portion of its textiles and apparel in-house. [2]

Sustainability initiatives

In 2019, SAPPHIRE introduced Little by Little, a sustainability initiative aimed at reducing environmental impact through responsible manufacturing and retail practices. [12] The initiative began with the introduction of recycled cotton seed-infused bags. In 2023, SAPPHIRE transitioned to 100% recycled and recyclable paper shopping bags, featuring seasonal designs and available for a nominal fee, with proceeds supporting sustainability efforts. [13]

The company has a long-standing partnership with the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, participating in initiatives such as breast cancer awareness campaigns and fundraising programs. [14]

Collaborations

SAPPHIRE X WWF

SAPPHIRE partnered with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to launch the 'Art for a Cause' capsule collection. This initiative featured limited-edition T-shirts designed by five artists, with proceeds supporting WWF-Pakistan’s conservation efforts. [15] [16]

SAPPHIRE X Yousuf Bashir Qureshi

Collaborating with designer Yousuf Bashir Qureshi, Sapphire introduced 'An Ode to Life,' a limited-edition scarf for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Featuring intricate dahlias and neuron motifs, all proceeds were donated to the Indus Hospital’s Breast Cancer Research Wing. [17]

SAPPHIRE X Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital

SAPPHIRE has a long-standing partnership with the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, supporting initiatives such as 'Just Beat It' and 'Pinktober Shop for a Cause.' The brand was recognized with the Shaukat Khanum Corporate Social Responsibility Award. [14]

SAPPHIRE West X 7UP

In collaboration with 7UP, SAPPHIRE West launched 'The UP Collection,' a streetwear-inspired line for Gen Z. The collection included gender-fluid designs and was marketed toward younger consumers. The campaign was recognized by Effie Worldwide for marketing effectiveness. [18] [19]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "PACRA Rating Report on Sapphire Retail Limited" (PDF). Pakistan Credit Rating Agency (PACRA). December 13, 2024. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
  2. 1 2 "Sapphire Textile Mills - At a Glance". Sapphire Textile Mills. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
  3. ↑ "Board of Directors". Sapphire Retail Limited. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
  4. ↑ "After years of expanding its retail footprint, Sapphire turns online". Profit Pakistan Today. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
  5. ↑ "PACRA Rating Report on Sapphire Retail Limited" (PDF). Pakistan Credit Rating Agency (PACRA). December 13, 2024. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  6. ↑ "State of B2C E-Commerce in Pakistan" (PDF). Data Darbar. 2022. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  7. ↑ "Sapphire's first UK store to open at The Broadway on Friday". The Telegraph & Argus. February 2025. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
  8. ↑ "New Bullring store opens in Birmingham". Birmingham Mail. February 2025. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
  9. ↑ "Store Locator". Sapphire Online. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
  10. ↑ "South Asian Fashion Now Closer Than Ever". Threads. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
  11. ↑ "Sapphire: Helping a Pakistani fashion brand expand in the UK". Fullers Logistics. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  12. ↑ "Sapphire Towards a Sustainable Future - Little by Little". Synergyzer. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
  13. ↑ "Sapphire Introduces Reusable Canvas Bags Made from 100% Fabric Waste". Pakistan Point. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
  14. 1 2 "Sapphire honoured with Shaukat Khanum Corporate Social Responsibility Award". Dawn. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
  15. ↑ "SAPPHIRE X WWF". Sapphire Online. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
  16. ↑ "WWF Pakistan - Green Office Program". WWF Pakistan. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
  17. ↑ "SAPPHIRE X YBQ". Sapphire Online. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
  18. ↑ "SAPPHIRE WEST X 7UP". Sapphire Online. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
  19. ↑ "7UP X Sapphire West - The UP Collection". Effie Awards. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.