On September 16, 2025, Carrefour formally ended its operations in Kuwait, concluding a sweeping retreat from four Gulf countries inside simply 10 months. The transfer highlights a bigger strategic shift by Majid Al Futtaim (MAF), the unique operator of Carrefour in the area, because it accelerates the rollout of its in-house grocery model, HyperMax. With no official rationalization supplied for the closures, the retail panorama in 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 “sincere gratitude” for his or her loyalty and assist over 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. Together, these characterize a whole withdrawal from four GCC countries in lower than a 12 months — a stark distinction to the model’s earlier regional progress. Carrefour had been operational in Kuwait underneath the administration of UAE-based conglomerate Majid Al Futtaim because it launched the model to the Middle East in 1995. Despite the present closure, Carrefour was nonetheless increasing in Kuwait as lately as February 2022, when it launched its ninth supermarket in the Khairan space. That outlet featured round 15,000 native and imported merchandise. Despite many years of operations and shopper familiarity, the Kuwait exit was made with none public monetary disclosures or operational justifications. The closure discover acknowledged plainly that Carrefour would “cease operations… effective September 16, 2025.”
The timeline: Carrefour’s fast withdrawal from four Gulf states
Carrefour’s exit from Kuwait completes a clearly timed sequence of market withdrawals by MAF from a number of Gulf countries. Below is the detailed timeline:
- Jordan: Carrefour shops had been shut down on November 4, 2024. The firm issued a quick message thanking clients and apologising for any inconvenience induced.
- 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.
Each 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 Times, amongst different shops, reached out to the firm for feedback relating to the coordinated shutdowns, however no official explanations had 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 substitute in choose areas. Though MAF has not formally confirmed a one-to-one substitute technique, the rollout timeline suggests a deliberate transition.
- Carrefour closed on September 14, 2025.
- HyperMax launched the very subsequent day.
- Six HyperMax shops are actually operational, supported by a devoted e-commerce platform.
- The model has fashioned partnerships with over 250 native farmers, producers, and SMEs, aligning with Bahrain Vision 2030.
- The HyperMax Bahrain staff at present employs over 1,600 employees members.
- HyperMax started operations quickly after Carrefour’s exit in each markets.
- The model now runs a mixed 44 areas throughout Jordan and Oman.
- As of September 18, 2025, no HyperMax areas have been introduced in Kuwait. According to a report from Khaleej Times, MAF has acknowledged that there are not any quick plans to develop HyperMax past the four countries 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, relatively 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. Introduced to the area by MAF in 1995, it grew to become considered one of the most generally recognised supermarket manufacturers throughout the Middle East. As of May 2025, Majid Al Futtaim Retail nonetheless operated over 390 Carrefour shops throughout 12 markets, serving greater than 700,000 clients day by day. These markets embrace countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia: Bahrain, Egypt, Georgia, Iraq, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Uganda. Despite the mass withdrawal from four Gulf states, MAF continues to function Carrefour in the remaining eight countries. However, the tempo and sample of the closures, executed with out public rationalization, have led to hypothesis about Carrefour’s future footprint in the broader area. The transition to HyperMax signifies greater than a rebranding. It is a part of a broader inside restructuring by Majid Al Futtaim to cut back dependency on franchise operations and construct its proprietary retail id.
Inside Majid Al Futtaim: The pressure behind Carrefour and HyperMax
Founded 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 highest for any privately-held agency in the area. Headquartered in Dubai, MAF’s enterprise spans retail, actual property, leisure, leisure, finance, and healthcare.The group owns 18 buying malls, together with Mall of the Emirates and the City Centre community, together with 11 resorts, 175 VOX Cinemas, 19 Magic Planet centres, and sights like Ski Dubai. It additionally launched the first LEGO-certified retailer in the Middle East and operates City Centre Clinics. In fintech, MAF is dad or mum to Najm and Voyager, providing shopper credit score and monetary companies. It additionally co-owns Enova, a facility administration agency, and companions in the meals & beverage sector by way of Gourmet Gulf.MAF secured unique franchise rights to function Carrefour in 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 supermarket operations. However, between November 2024 and September 2025, Carrefour exited Jordan, Oman, Bahrain, and most lately, Kuwait.In its place, MAF launched HyperMax—a totally 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 group 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 predicted to observe in due course, 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.