Middle East news and archive

Crisis talks on Strait of Hormuz seek to increase pressure on Iran

During the crisis meeting on the largely blocked Strait of Hormuz, participating countries discussed possible further sanctions against Tehran. The British Foreign Office announced this following an online meeting convened by the UK with representatives from more than 40 countries. Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper spoke of a determination among...

Retail

War in the Middle East: Dubai, a luxury capital on borrowed time

Dubai – Louis Vuitton, Dior, Louboutin... In Dubai's Mall of the Emirates, one luxury boutique follows another. A month into the regional war, their teams of unoccupied salespeople watch for customers or scroll through their phones out of boredom. Having just left Chanel, a rare customer who wishes to remain anonymous is adamant that people “...

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Business

Global economic update: oil prices fall, stock markets reassured amid Middle East conflict

Paris, France – The latest global economic developments on Wednesday at approximately 8am GMT, as the war in the Middle East enters its 26th day. Oil prices fall Oil prices fell on Wednesday, with Brent dropping below 100 dollars, following Iran's announcement that it would unblock the Strait of Hormuz for ships deemed “non-hostile” and the...

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+400 percent air cargo, 55 billion Gulf market at risk: how Middle East tensions threaten fashion’s retail calendar

Escalating tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States are beginning to ripple through the global fashion industry, raising concerns among retailers about delayed shipments, surging transport costs and potential stock shortages across the Middle East. Beyond temporary store closures, the real disruption is unfolding upstream — inside...

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Oil at 200 dollars a barrel: Middle East conflict sends shockwaves through fashion

As the global conflict involving Iran escalates, the prospect of oil prices climbing towards 200 dollars a barrel no longer feels implausible. Fashion businesses across the UK and Europe are once again bracing for volatility, as energy markets react sharply to geopolitical risk. From fibre production and manufacturing to freight costs and...

Retail

Expansion strategy: Primark announces new openings in France and the Middle East

Fashion retailer Primark detailed the next steps of its physical expansion strategy during a press conference on March 18, 2026. Three new stores will open in France in 2026. The company has been present in the country since 2013. It currently operates 30 stores and employs nearly 7,000 people. This regional expansion will continue in 2026 with...

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How major fast fashion brands are handling the Middle East logistics crisis

Global fashion supply chains are currently navigating a period of profound instability as escalating conflict in the Middle East severely disrupts the flow of goods from South Asian manufacturing hubs to European high streets. As of March 2026, the closure of vital airspace and the suspension of operations at major transit hubs like Dubai have...

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Strait of Hormuz blockage, an “unprecedented freeze” on global maritime trade

Paris (France) - The blockage of the Strait of Hormuz constitutes an “unprecedented freeze” on global maritime trade, affecting everything from cosmetics and food products to pharmaceuticals, cars and precious marbles. While it primarily impacts petroleum products, it also threatens many other industrial sectors. Importance of the Strait of...

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How the West Asia crisis is putting a tax on every garment moving east to west

The garment industry, a sector famously built on the “just-in-time” philosophy and razor-thin margins, is currently navigating one of its most complex periods of structural volatility. The West Asia crisis has evolved quickly from a regional concern into a systemic chokehold on global textile flows. The escalating conflict in the Middle East is...

Retail

Primark to expand into three new markets in the Middle East

Budget retailer Primark has announced plans to expand into three additional markets in the Middle East, with five stores set to open this year alone, in partnership with retail franchise operator Alshaya Group. Expanding in the United Arab Emirates, Primark is set to open three stores in Dubai during the first half of 2026, with the first store...

Retail

Pacsun reveals location of first store outside US, preps domestic retail expansion

Pacsun has confirmed the opening plans of its first store outside of the US. The American youth retailer is due to open its inaugural international store in spring 2026 at the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. The news comes on the back of the company securing a regional partnership with Majid Al Futtaim, with which it is planning to open up to 20...

Fashion

Fédération Libanaise de la Mode joins forces with ABC Lebanon

The Fédération Libanaise de la Mode (FLM), Lebanon's official fashion organisation, has announced a long-term strategic partnership with retail group ABC Lebanon to “elevate” the country's fashion industry. In a statement, FLM said the move would enable the organisation to accelerate Lebanon’s fashion industry by championing Lebanese designers...