After exits from Oman and Jordan, the French retailer has announced the closure of its Bahrain and Kuwait stores, as Majid Al Futtaim rolls out its HyperMax brand
Carrefour confirmed it had ceased operations in Kuwait and Bahrain this week, months after exits from both Oman and Jordan.
Regional franchise operator Majid Al Futtaim has rolled out its new HyperMax grocery brand at those stores vacated by Carrefour.
Although no detailed reason has been provided by Carrefour, media and activists in the region see the closures as a direct result of pressure from the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and wider consumer campaigns against firms seen as complicit in Israel’s war on Gaza.
Carrefour became a BDS target after signing a 2022 franchise deal with Israeli companies Electra Consumer Products and its subsidiary Yenot Bitan, which sells Carrefour-branded products in illegal West Bank settlements, according to activists.
In the past month, protesters have regularly been seen demonstrating outside and inside Carrefour stores across Europe, including in France, Spain and Italy.
Amid suggestions that Carrefour’s UAE stores could be next for a rebrand, Majid Al Futtaim told Gulf News: “There are no immediate plans to expand HyperMax across other markets.”
The Dubai-based conglomerate said the move was in response to growing demand for locally sourced products in these markets.
“Majid Al Futtaim continuously reviews its businesses to stay agile and responsive to evolving market dynamics,” it stated. “HyperMax’s mission is clear: bringing fresh and affordable locally-sourced products to our customers whilst delivering a modern, customer-first shopping experience.”
