Primark opens first Middle East store in Kuwait in partnership with Alshaya Group

• In partnership with Alshaya Group, its first franchise store in Kuwait will be followed by three stores in Dubai in early 2026, starting in Dubai Mall next March.

International fashion retailer Primark has today opened its first store in the Middle East, located at Grand Plaza, The Avenues, Kuwait, in partnership with leading international retail franchise operator Alshaya Group. The opening marks Primark’s first franchise store and 18th international market entry.

With thousands of customers attending the opening event, the flagship Primark store offers over 60,000 sq. ft of shopping space, set over two floors and will employ 350 colleagues.

Primark’s first store in the Middle East has been eagerly anticipated by customers in Kuwait, many of whom are already very familiar with the Primark brand in the UK and Europe. Kuwaiti shoppers will no longer have to travel abroad to find Primark’s unique value offering which spans both the latest trends and everyday essentials, all at amazing prices across womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, home and beauty.

The store will also feature a wide selection of Primark exclusive collaborations with world famous brands such as Disney that the whole family can enjoy. Shoppers can also discover its wide fashion offering including our collaboration from Spanish influencer Paula Echevarria and the outstanding value offered by its more premium range The Edit range across mens, womens, home, and now younger kids as well.

Eoin Tonge, Primark Interim CEO, said: “We are delighted to be opening our doors in Kuwait’s The Avenues, a prime shopping destination to mark our first store presence in the Middle East. It’s exciting to see the initial reaction from customers who are finally able to get their hands on the affordable fashion and essentials we are known and loved for. Kuwait marks our first franchise market and our 18th international market globally, which we are delighted to open in partnership with the Alshaya Group. With the strength of our brand and distinctive value proposition, combined with Alshaya’s deep market expertise and close partnership, we believe today represents an important and exciting new growth chapter.”

John Hadden, CEO, Alshaya Group, said: "Since we announced our partnership with Primark a year ago, we’ve worked flat out to bring our first store to our customers here in our home country of Kuwait and the response has been truly amazing – thank you to Kuwait for your support! We are incredibly proud of working with Primark to make this happen and today marks the beginning of bringing this most anticipated brand to shoppers across the region.”

Building on its strategic partnership announced in September 2024, following today’s opening in Kuwait, Primark and Alshaya have confirmed that three stores will open in Dubai in the first half of 2026 – starting with Dubai Mall in March, followed by City Centre Mirdif and Mall of the Emirates. Primark and Alshaya will also continue to work together to consider future stores across the region.

After more than 55 years, the retailer continues to expand across new and existing markets. This includes plans to open its first flagship store in Manhattan, New York, in 2026 after recently marking its 10-year anniversary in the US earlier this year. Primark currently has 475 stores across 18 countries in Europe, the US – and now for the first time in the Middle East.