Arabic Perfumes Spark Surge in Local Twin Cities Sales, Boosted by TikTok Trend

The scent of Arabic perfumes is captivating a growing number of Twin Cities shoppers this holiday season, thanks to a surge in social media buzz and a wave of influencer-driven attention. Local fragrance shops are experiencing a boom in business as TikTok trends and viral videos are introducing new customers to these long-lasting, affordable scents.

One shop at the center of this trend is Bab Alyemen, located in Rosedale Center Mall. Owner Abdulkadir Jailani, a Yemeni entrepreneur, says the shop has seen a massive increase in foot traffic ever since social media influencer Mia Ton shared her experience with Arabic perfumes on TikTok. Ton, who has more than 350,000 followers, posted a video showcasing her visit to a Minneapolis perfume shop, where she tried out popular Arabic scents. The video quickly racked up over a quarter-million views, causing an influx of perfume enthusiasts eager to try the fragrances for themselves.

“I never expected it to go viral, but once it did, the lines were out the door the next day,” Jailani said. His shop, which specializes in Arabic perfumes, has been overwhelmed by demand, especially for the trending Yara fragrance, a floral and fruity scent that has captured attention for its affordability and impressive staying power.

Jailani, who launched his business through Facebook seven years ago, saw his operations expand rapidly after the TikTok video, prompting him to place larger orders for popular perfumes. “I used to order 100 to 200 bottles per scent, but now we’re ordering thousands,” Jailani shared. He noted that his Yara perfumes, which range in price from $30 to $50 depending on the store, are particularly popular. In fact, the shop sold out of its latest Yara shipment by mid-December, with fewer than 500 bottles remaining.

The appeal of Arabic perfumes is rooted not only in their quality but also in their price point. These fragrances offer consumers a chance to enjoy high-end, distinctive scents without the hefty price tag associated with many mainstream brands. 

As word spreads, Bab Alyemen and other local stores are experiencing shifts in customer demographics. Jailani has seen an increase in customers from diverse backgrounds, with women now making up the majority of his clientele. “It used to be a 50-50 split, but now it’s around 90% women,” he said. The demand has led Jailani to plan further expansion, with plans to open a second fragrance-only store in Rosedale Center in the coming months.

This growing interest in Arabic perfumes has also highlighted the power of social media in shaping consumer behavior. Through influencers and viral content, these once-obscure scents are becoming a staple for fragrance lovers who seek out unique options outside of mainstream brands. 

As more people discover the world of Arabic perfumes, local shops like Bab Alyemen are thriving, capitalizing on the viral trend while introducing new customers to an entirely different approach to scent.