DUBAI : Carrefour has shut down all its outlets in Kuwait, extending the French retailer’s pullback from the Gulf after earlier closures in Bahrain, Oman and Jordan.

The move, announced via Carrefour Kuwait’s official Instagram account on Tuesday, brings an end to the brand’s two-decade presence in the country. It follows a broader strategic shift by Dubai-based operator Majid Al Futtaim (MAF), which is phasing out the Carrefour franchise in select markets and replacing it with its new homegrown retail chain, HyperMax.

Carrefour entered the region in 1995 through MAF, growing into one of the Middle East’s largest retail names with more than 390 outlets across 12 countries. The recent closures, however, underscore the challenges of sustaining a global franchise model amid intensifying competition, shifting consumer habits and pressure to localise supply chains.

In Bahrain, Carrefour shut its doors on September 14, with HyperMax launching the next day through six outlets and an e-commerce platform. The new chain employs over 1,600 staff and partners with more than 250 local suppliers, farmers and SMEs. Similar transitions took place in Oman earlier this year and in Jordan in late 2024.

MAF has not yet confirmed whether Kuwait will see HyperMax take over the former Carrefour sites, but analysts expect the company to replicate the Bahrain model. “The shift allows MAF to exercise more control over pricing, partnerships and customer engagement without being tied to a global franchise,” said a regional retail analyst.

Carrefour remains present in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other key markets, where MAF continues to operate the brand. But the Gulf exits mark a significant recalibration of its regional footprint, highlighting both the opportunities and risks in the rapidly evolving Middle East retail sector.