DUBAI : Carrefour has closed all its stores in Kuwait, operator Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) said, widening the French retailer’s retreat from Gulf markets after earlier exits in Bahrain, Oman and Jordan.

The closures bring an end to Carrefour’s two-decade presence in Kuwait, where the brand had become a familiar fixture in malls and shopping centres. The announcement was made through Carrefour Kuwait’s official Instagram account on Tuesday.

Carrefour, which entered the Gulf in 1995 through a franchise agreement with Dubai-based MAF, once operated across more than a dozen countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, with over 390 outlets in the region. But in recent months, MAF has begun scaling back the Carrefour brand in selected Gulf states, replacing it with its own retail chain, HyperMax.

In Bahrain, Carrefour stores shut on September 14 and HyperMax opened the next day with six outlets, an e-commerce platform, and more than 1,600 staff. In Oman, Carrefour ceased operations in early 2025, while Jordan saw its last outlets close in late 2024. MAF has not confirmed whether Kuwait will see an immediate HyperMax transition, but analysts expect a similar shift.

The retailer’s withdrawal reflects a change in strategy by MAF, which is moving away from the global franchise model to a locally controlled brand aimed at increasing flexibility, lowering costs and building closer ties with local suppliers. HyperMax in Bahrain, for example, has partnered with more than 250 local farms, producers and SMEs.

Carrefour’s continued presence in the wider region remains significant, with outlets still operating in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other markets. But the exits highlight the challenges global retail brands face in adapting to shifting consumer habits and competitive pressures in the Gulf.

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