Middle East news and archive

Primark opens first store in Middle East via franchise partner

Budget retailer Primark has opened its first store in the Middle East as it plots a wider expansion across the region. The new location has been launched via a franchise partnership with Alshaya Group, making it Primark’s first franchise store. Based at Grand Plaza, The Avenues, Kuwait, the retail space, serving as a flagship site, spans 60,000...

Fashion|Exclusive

Exclusive: Paraiso Miami Swim Week to hold first Dubai event in 2026

Paraiso, an organiser behind the annual Miami Swim Week, is preparing to venture into a new region. The platform has announced the debut of an United Arab Emirates (UAE) edition of its event dubbed Paraiso Dubai, set to take place October 2026. In a bid to build a “commercial bridge” between Miami and Dubai, Paraiso is looking to leverage...

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Dr. Martens expands into the UAE and Latin America

British footwear brand Dr. Martens is expanding its global presence with a new distribution partnership with Beside Group, marking its entry into the United Arab Emirates (UAE) market for the first time. Additionally, the brand has secured a deal to further its expansion into Latin America through a partnership with Crosby. In a statement, Dr....

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Canada Goose is expanding in the Middle East market

Premium Canadian outdoor and footwear brand Canada Goose has signed a multi-year partnership with Beside Group, a leading retail and distribution company in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, to expand into the Middle East market. Carrie Baker, president of brand and commercial at Canada Goose, said in a statement: “This partnership is a...

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Fanatics enters Middle East, opens office in Qatar

US digital sports platform Fanatics has entered the Middle East, opening a new office in Doha, Qatar, which will serve as a “hub for operations” in the region. The move comes on the back of the company signing a partnership with the State of Qatar in February, which included the country’s sponsorship of Fanatics Fest. It builds on Fanatics’...

Retail

Primark to enter Middle East via Alshaya Group deal

Budget retailer Primark has confirmed plans to enter the Middle East via a new partnership with retail franchise operator, Alshaya Group. The duo, which had first announced their strategic partnership in 2024, are planning to open four stores across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. The openings will start with a new store at The...

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Ann Summers strikes partnership with Liwa to expand into Middle East

Lingerie label Ann Summers has established a new franchise agreement with Liwa Trading Enterprises as it sets about expanding into the Middle East. Through the strategic partnership, Ann Summers’ lingerie products will become available in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, with Liwa to serve as the...

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Fashion

Fashion Trust Arabia to host annual awards ceremony in Marrakech

The Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA) is to host its next award show in Marrakech in October, the organisation said. Last year’s awards were held in Doha, Qatar. Unique in the Arab world, the FTA stands as a pivotal non-profit organization, providing crucial financial backing, expert guidance, and mentorship to burgeoning designers hailing from the...

Retail

FitFlop opens largest store in the Middle East

UK-based ergonomic and wellness footwear brand FitFlop is continuing its international expansion in key strategic markets with the opening of its largest retail space in the Middle East to date. The store in Abu Dhabi is the latest launch in the brand’s elevated, global retail programme, building on the existing 145 standalone FitFlop stores...

Retail|In Pictures

Lalage Beaumont opens its first store outside the UK

British handbag and ready-to-wear designer Lalage Beaumont London has opened a standalone boutique in Mode Mall in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The opening marks the first Lalage Beaumont store outside the UK, building on the success within the region with stockists Saks Fifth Avenue in Bahrain, Tryano in Abu Dhabi, and Shoes and Handbags Fifty One...

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China’s rebound and Middle East’s rise to drive luxury market next year

While the luxury market remained fairly consistent throughout the course of the pandemic, the sector is still set to embark on a notable increase as consumers from various regions up their spending. This is according to the ninth edition of the Altagamma Consumer and Retail Insight, a Milan-based event hosted by Altagamma chairman Mattero...

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JD Sports enters Middle East with new franchise deal

JD Sports has begun its expansion in the Middle East through a new franchise agreement with Dubai-headquartered company GMG. The British sportswear retailer has been looking to enter the region as part of its five-year global growth strategy, through which it stated that it had its sights set on underpenetrated markets. The 10-year agreement...