Carrefour Shuts All Kuwait Stores Following Closures in Bahrain and Oman

Kuwait City, Kuwait - September 18, 2025 - French retail giant Carrefour has officially closed all of its stores in Kuwait, marking the latest in a series of market exits across the Gulf region.

The company announced the Kuwait shutdown through an Instagram post late Tuesday, confirming that all outlets ceased operations on September 16. Carrefour did not provide further details on the reasons behind the closures.

This move comes just days after Carrefour closed all of its stores in Bahrain on Sunday, following earlier exits from Oman in January and Jordan in November 2024.

Dubai-based Majid Al Futtaim (MAF), which operates Carrefour in the region, has yet to issue a public statement on the closures. However, the company has confirmed the rollout of its new grocery brand, HyperMax, to replace Carrefour in the markets where it has ceased operations. HyperMax will now take over retail operations across these locations, with a strategy aimed at continuing to serve customers under the new brand identity.

According to Majid Al Futtaim, six new HyperMax stores have been announced in Bahrain, joining 44 operational locations across Jordan and Oman.

Carrefour's Regional Footprint and Franchise Agreement

Majid Al Futtaim introduced Carrefour to the Middle East in 1995, transforming the region’s retail landscape. In May 2013, Majid Al Futtaim purchased a 25% minority stake from Carrefour Group for €530 million ($567 million), strengthening its control over hypermarket operations in the region.

At the time, the Dubai-based conglomerate also extended its exclusive franchise partnership with Carrefour until 2025.

In April 2025, Carrefour announced that it had renewed its franchise agreement with Majid Al Futtaim, which now covers more than 400 stores across 20 countries, including the Middle East, Egypt, East Africa, and Georgia.

As part of its Carrefour 2026 plan, the group aims to expand into 10 new markets, with a primary focus on Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Majid Al Futtaim’s Exclusive Rights and Future Plans

Majid Al Futtaim Retail currently holds exclusive operational rights for Carrefour across 12 markets, including parts of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

The company operates a network of more than 390 Carrefour stores, ranging from hypermarkets and supermarkets to convenience stores, according to its website.

The transition to HyperMax marks a pivotal moment in Majid Al Futtaim’s retail strategy, signaling a shift toward expanding its proprietary brand while maintaining a strong presence in the region’s competitive grocery market.

With this latest closure in Kuwait, Majid Al Futtaim continues to evolve its retail operations amid a rapidly changing consumer landscape, while leveraging its experience to lead the rollout of HyperMax across multiple countries.