DUBAI : Majid Al Futtaim, the operator of Carrefour in the Middle East, said on Thursday it has no immediate plans to close any of its stores in the United Arab Emirates, following speculation triggered by the retailer’s exit from Bahrain earlier this week.

“All Carrefour stores in the UAE remain open and operational,” the company said in a statement, adding that the Emirates continues to be one of its most important markets. It also reaffirmed its commitment to investing in its store network and digital retail operations across the country.

Carrefour, which first entered the UAE in 1995, runs dozens of hypermarkets and supermarkets nationwide and is considered one of the largest grocery chains in the Gulf. The company has steadily expanded its footprint to cater to the UAE’s growing population, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and has been rolling out online shopping and delivery platforms to strengthen its e-commerce business.

The clarification follows social media rumours that Carrefour could scale back in the Emirates after announcing this week that it was shutting down all operations in Bahrain. Majid Al Futtaim said the Bahrain exit was a market-specific decision and does not affect its long-term strategy in the UAE.

Carrefour competes in the UAE with local retailers such as Lulu Group and Spinneys, as well as international brands, in a sector that has faced rising costs, shifting consumer habits and the rapid growth of digital platforms.

Majid Al Futtaim, headquartered in Dubai, operates Carrefour stores across 16 countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

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