Majid Al Futtaim Retail
The retail division owns and operates hypermarkets and supermarkets, as well as fashion and specialty retail stores.
Hypermarkets and supermarkets
In 1995 MAF Retail entered in a joint venture with French retailer Carrefour and became franchisee and operator of its chain of supermarkets and hypermarkets in the MENA region. The joint venture, known as Majid Al Futtaim Hypermarkets, became fully owned by MAF Retail in May 2013 subsequent to Carrefour's divestment of its 25 percent share, valued at €530 million ($683 million). In June 2017, MAF announced it bought 26 Géant hypermarkets in the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait from BMA International. All locations were rebranded under the Carrefour banner. In February 2018, Egyptians Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation and the National Service Project of the Armed Forces signed a cooperation protocol with Majid Al-Futtaim in the aim to establish 100 Carrefour retail stores in different governorates of Egypt. In December 2018, Majid Al Futtaim announced their plans to rebrand of Hyperstar to Carrefour across Pakistan. A new Carrefour is expected to open in the Mall of Defence in Lahore in early 2019.
The company introduced the world's first sail-through supermarket "Bites and More by the Shore", in December 2018. The supermarket operates off the coast of Dubai in order to cater to customers on yachts, boats and jet skis. In January 2019, Majid Al Futtaim Retail signs a contract with Nshama, a UAE-based developer of master-planned communities, to open a new 8,000 sq ft Carrefour Hypermarket in Town Square Dubai.
In January 2019, speaking at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Alain Bejjani (CEO) announced the group's intention to introduce a Saudi-only workforce in the Carrefour supermarkets across the country. The same year, MAF launched its Retail Business School, which focuses on programmes for employees running its Carrefour operations. Majid al Futtaim currently operates 90 hypermarkets and 120 supermarkets in 15 countries.
Read the full text
In the first half of 2018, Majid Al Futtaim Retail launched its largest regional distribution center in Dubai's National Industries Park.
The company has invested heavily in data analysis and digital capabilities as well as relevant companies and start-ups that serve multiples channels. In December 2017, it launched a School of Analytics and Technology, along with A², its Advanced Analytics Centre of Excellence. The same year, its company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Smart Dubai to help improve the emirate's data analytics capabilities.
In 2025, it rebranded from Carrefour to HyperMax in all its Middle East branches.
Fashion
MAF Fashion was created in 2005 to handle the newly acquired fashion brand Mexx franchise. In 2006, Liz Claiborne Inc., Mexx's parent company agreed to extend the franchise to include Lucky Brand Jeans, Liz Claiborne and Monet & Co. In February 2013 MAF Fashion signed a franchise agreement with Halston Heritage. Also in 2013, MAF Fashion created a joint venture with Abercrombie & Fitch that brought Hollister stores to the region. Abercrombie & Fitch's eponymous brand followed in December 2014, opening its first Middle East stores in Kuwait, the region's flagship store opened in Dubai in December 2015 in the MAF-owned Mall of the Emirates. In February 2015 MAF Fashion signed a deal with Lululemon Athletica for a franchise in five countries, the first store opened in 2015.
In April 2017, Majid Al Futtaim Fashion moved into the home furnishing market with a five-year franchise deal with Crate & Barrel, the first store opened in Qatar and expansion into other GCC countries followed, while the first CB2 concept store opened in 2022. A deal with homeware brand Maisons du Monde was signed in June 2017.
Partnerships
With I.am+: In 2019, MAF became the first retail conglomerate announced as a member of the A.R.C (a coalition of retailers, brands and service providers) to provide physical and virtual experiences for multi-channel offerings.
Online shopping
Kenya: In 2018 the group signed a partnership with online retailer Jumia.
In 2018, the group invested in Wadi, an online grocery delivery portal, as part of a $30 million funding round to help set up the delivery structure for Carrefour stores in Saudi Arabia.
Family and retail entertainment
Lego stores: In 2015, the group opened the first LEGO-certified store in the MENA region in Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi. In 2016, a LEGO store opened at Mall 360 and The Avenues Mall in Kuwait, the second in the country.
American Girl: In 2017, the group signed an agreement with American Girl, a division of Mattel, and a premium brand for dolls, giving the group exclusive distribution rights in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. The first American Girl store in the UAE opened in November 2017 at City Centre Mirdif. In 2020, these stores were closed.
Financial services
In 2018, the group acquired Beam Portal, a Dubai-based mobile payments provider.
