Carrefour now exits Kuwait after Bahrain, Oman, and Jordan

French retailer's Gulf retreat accelerates as Majid Al Futtaim rolls out HyperMax

- BY JUSTIN VARGHESE Your Money Editor

Carrefour has shut down all its stores in Kuwait, marking the latest chapter in the French retailer's rapid retreat from the Gulf.

The surprise closure, announced late Tuesday through an Instagram post, comes just two days after Carrefour’s exit from Bahrain — and follows earlier withdrawals from Oman in January and Jordan in November 2024.

Dubai-based Majid Al Futtaim (MAF), which owns exclusive rights to operate Carrefour in the Middle East, has not explained the series of exits. Yet, the timing of the closures aligns with the roll-out of its new homegrown grocery brand, HyperMax, which is being positioned as Carrefour’s replacement across these markets.