On September 16, 2025, Carrefour formally ended its operations in Kuwait, concluding a sweeping retreat from 4 Gulf nations inside simply 10 months. The transfer highlights a bigger strategic shift by Majid Al Futtaim (MAF), the unique operator of Carrefour within the area, because it accelerates the rollout of its in-house grocery model, HyperMax. With no official clarification supplied for the closures, the retail panorama within the Gulf is present process a quiet however notable transformation.
Carrefour shuts down in Kuwait: The final GCC exit
Carrefour’s exit from Kuwait was formally introduced on September 16, 2025, by way of a public assertion and social media communication. The message, addressed to clients, conveyed “honest gratitude” for his or her loyalty and help through the years however supplied no detailed reasoning behind the closure. This transfer comes simply two days after Carrefour shut its operations in Bahrain on September 14, 2025, and follows earlier exits from Oman on January 7, 2025, and Jordan on November 4, 2024. Collectively, these symbolize a whole withdrawal from 4 GCC nations in lower than a 12 months — a stark distinction to the model’s earlier regional development. Carrefour had been operational in Kuwait underneath the administration of UAE-based conglomerate Majid Al Futtaim because it launched the model to the Center East in 1995. Regardless of the present closure, Carrefour was nonetheless increasing in Kuwait as not too long ago as February 2022, when it launched its ninth grocery store within the Khairan space. That outlet featured round 15,000 native and imported merchandise. Regardless of many years of operations and client familiarity, the Kuwait exit was made with none public monetary disclosures or operational justifications. The closure discover said plainly that Carrefour would “stop operations… efficient September 16, 2025.”
The timeline: Carrefour’s speedy withdrawal from 4 Gulf states
Carrefour’s exit from Kuwait completes a clearly timed sequence of market withdrawals by MAF from a number of Gulf nations. Beneath is the detailed timeline:
- Jordan: Carrefour shops have been shut down on November 4, 2024. The corporate issued a quick message thanking clients and apologising for any inconvenience brought on.
- Oman: Operations ceased completely on January 7, 2025, simply two months after the Jordan exit.
- Bahrain: Carrefour formally closed its shops on September 14, 2025.
- Kuwait: Closure adopted instantly after, on September 16, 2025.
Every closure adopted a constant communication sample: public messages by way of social media, expressions of buyer appreciation, and operational cutoff dates, however with none detailed rationale from MAF. Khaleej Instances, amongst different shops, reached out to the corporate for feedback relating to the coordinated shutdowns, however no official explanations have been supplied.
HyperMax emerges: MAF’s strategic shift
As Carrefour exits the scene in these Gulf markets, Majid Al Futtaim is actively rolling out HyperMax, its personal homegrown grocery model, as a alternative in choose places. Although MAF has not formally confirmed a one-to-one alternative technique, the rollout timeline suggests a deliberate transition.
- Carrefour closed on September 14, 2025.
- HyperMax launched the very subsequent day.
- Six HyperMax shops at the moment are operational, supported by a devoted e-commerce platform.
- The model has fashioned partnerships with over 250 native farmers, producers, and SMEs, aligning with Bahrain Imaginative and prescient 2030.
- The HyperMax Bahrain group presently employs over 1,600 employees members.
- HyperMax started operations quickly after Carrefour’s exit in each markets.
- The model now runs a mixed 44 places throughout Jordan and Oman.
- As of September 18, 2025, no HyperMax places have been introduced in Kuwait. In response to a report from Khaleej Instances, MAF has said that there aren’t any quick plans to increase HyperMax past the 4 nations the place Carrefour has exited: Jordan, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
HyperMax’s retail positioning emphasises shut collaboration with native producers and a broader regional integration, reasonably than simply filling the hole left by Carrefour’s departure. The mannequin focuses on provide chain localisation and SME empowerment.
What Carrefour’s exit means for the area
For almost three many years, Carrefour was a mainstay in Gulf retail. Launched to the area by MAF in 1995, it turned probably the most extensively recognised grocery store manufacturers throughout the Center East. As of Might 2025, Majid Al Futtaim Retail nonetheless operated over 390 Carrefour shops throughout 12 markets, serving greater than 700,000 clients each day. These markets embody nations within the Center East, Africa, and Asia: Bahrain, Egypt, Georgia, Iraq, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Uganda. Regardless of the mass withdrawal from 4 Gulf states, MAF continues to function Carrefour within the remaining eight nations. Nonetheless, the tempo and sample of the closures, executed with out public clarification, have led to hypothesis about Carrefour’s future footprint within the broader area. The transition to HyperMax signifies greater than a rebranding. It’s a part of a broader inner restructuring by Majid Al Futtaim to scale back dependency on franchise operations and construct its proprietary retail id.
Inside Majid Al Futtaim: The pressure behind Carrefour and HyperMax
Based in 1992, Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) is a UAE-based conglomerate working throughout 13 worldwide markets, using over 27,000 folks, and holding a BBB credit standing, the very best for any privately-held agency within the area. Headquartered in Dubai, MAF’s enterprise spans retail, actual property, leisure, leisure, finance, and healthcare.The group owns 18 purchasing malls, together with Mall of the Emirates and the Metropolis Centre community, together with 11 lodges, 175 VOX Cinemas, 19 Magic Planet centres, and sights like Ski Dubai. It additionally launched the primary LEGO-certified retailer within the Center East and operates Metropolis Centre Clinics. In fintech, MAF is mum or dad to Najm and Voyager, providing client credit score and monetary companies. It additionally co-owns Enova, a facility administration agency, and companions within the meals & beverage sector by way of Gourmand Gulf.MAF secured unique franchise rights to function Carrefour within the area in 1995, initially in partnership with the French Carrefour Group. In 2013, it acquired the remaining 25% stake in Majid Al Futtaim Hypermarkets LLC for €530 million, gaining full possession of Carrefour’s regional hypermarket and grocery store operations. Nonetheless, between November 2024 and September 2025, Carrefour exited Jordan, Oman, Bahrain, and most not too long ago, Kuwait.Instead, MAF launched HyperMax—a completely owned grocery retail model, beginning in Jordan, Oman, and Bahrain, the place it now operates 44 shops and 6 shops, respectively. HyperMax emphasizes native provide chains, sourcing straight from neighborhood farmers, meals producers, and over 250 SMEs, strengthening regional economies and aligning with nationwide growth visions. An e-commerce platform additional helps the omnichannel mannequin.In Kuwait, the place Carrefour ceased operations on September 16, 2025, HyperMax has not but launched however is anticipated to comply with sooner or later, marking the group’s ongoing pivot from franchised retail to a self-owned mannequin rooted in native sourcing, regional provide chain integration, and direct engagement with farmers, producers, and SMEs.
