Global brands close Mideast stores as conflict causes chaos

In Dubai and other major Middle Eastern shopping hubs, many stores are closed or operating with a skeleton staff as the escalating conflict in the region causes chaos for businesses and travel.

- HELEN REID DOMINIQUE PATTON

People shop ahead of the holy month of Ramadan at the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, UAE, in 2023.

(REUTERS)

The US-Israeli air war against Iran expanded on Monday with no end in sight, with Tehran firing missiles and drones at Gulf states as it retaliates for a weekend of bombing that killed Iran's supreme leader and reportedly killed scores of Iranian civilians, including a strike on a girls' primary school.

Chalhoub Group, which runs 900 stores for brands from Versace and Jimmy Choo to Sephora across the region, said its stores in Bahrain were closed, while other markets, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan remained open though staff attendance was "voluntary."

"We operate with a lean team formed of members who volunteered and feel comfortable to come to the store," Chalhoub's Vice President of Communications Lynn al Khatib told Reuters, adding that the company's leadership team personally visited Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates on Monday morning to check in with workers.