One year on - Primark celebrates Middle East expansion in partnership with Alshaya Group

28 Oct 2026

•    Primark celebrates the anniversary of its first Middle East store, which opened in The Avenues, Kuwait on 23 October 2025
•    In partnership with Alshaya Group, over the last year, six Primark stores have opened in four countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and UAE
•    Further expansion of Primark stores across the region takes place next year, including the first Primark in Saudi Arabia in Q1 2027

International fashion retailer Primark, in partnership with leading international retail franchise operator Alshaya Group, last week celebrated one year since the arrival of its first store in the Middle east, which opened in The Avenues, Kuwait, on 23rd October 2025.  
Since then, the partnership has opened three stores in Dubai in UAE, debuted in Bahrain and last week opened its first store in Qatar, with the opening in Doha Festival City marking Primark’s 21st international market entry.  

John Hadden, CEO, Alshaya Group said: "Over the last year, we have been amazed by the reception to our Primark stores from shoppers across the region. After years of waiting, I’d like to say a massive thank you to all those customers who have visited our stores, experienced this amazing brand and all those who have helped us on this journey – especially our incredible store teams of over 2,000 colleagues.

“Our fantastic partnership with Primark continues including our exciting flagship debut store in KSA, which opens at The Avenues, Riyadh, in March next year.”   

Jose Luis Martinez De Larramendi, Director of International Expansion at Primark, added: “It’s been an incredible first year for Primark in the Middle East. Together with our partners at Alshaya Group, we’ve opened six stores in the region, received a fantastic response from customers and celebrated the milestone of reaching our 21st market globally. There’s clearly a real appetite for Primark across the region, and we’re excited to build on this as we look to bring the brand to even more customers next year.”

To mark the anniversary, shoppers in Kuwait experienced the opening of a Primark Winter Wonderland at The Avenues, Kuwait. Created to bring a little extra magic to the milestone, customers, friends and families can come together and enjoy a range of experiences until 22nd November.

The experience is designed as a thank-you to the customers who have supported Primark during its first year at The Avenues.

Looking ahead, Primark's expansion across the GCC is set to continue with the Mall of Emirates store opening its first-floor space in November, a second store in Kuwait opening at Aventura Mall early next year, and the brands first-ever store in KSA opening in March 2027. Second stores will also open in Qatar and Bahrain in 2027, further strengthening the brand's presence across existing markets and bringing Primark to even more communities throughout the region.