MAJID AL FUTTAIM AND ALSHAYA GROUP STRENGTHEN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH RETAIL OPENINGS ACROSS FLAGSHIP MALLS – NOW OPENING PRIMARK AT CITY CENTRE MIRDIF ON 9 APRIL
- This will be followed by two additional stores across Majid Al Futtaim malls in 2026 – including a flagship at Mall of the Emirates in May, and City Centre Bahrain in Q4
- With a powerful pipeline of retail openings for brands operated by Alshaya Group, Majid Al Futtaim continues to be the partner of choice for global brands in the Middle East
Dubai, UAE – Wednesday 1 April 2026: Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, communities, retail, and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, is deepening its strategic alliance with Alshaya Group, one of the world’s leading brand franchise operators. With a bold new wave of store openings across its regional portfolio, led by the highly anticipated opening of Primark at City Centre Mirdif on 9 April, the partnership continues to bring leading global brands to the region.
The powerful retail rollout across Majid Al Futtaim malls features first-to-market launches and expanded flagship formats. At the centre of this expansion is Primark, which will open at City Centre Mirdif, followed by a flagship store opening at Mall of the Emirates, and an opening at City Centre Bahrain. These openings bring the international retailer’s unique value offering to diverse regional audiences.
As part of ongoing enhancement efforts, Alshaya Group’s H&M store at Mall of the Emirates has reopened following a multi-million-dirham refurbishment. This has been complemented by recent openings from leading Alshaya brands including Jo Malone, Victoria’s Secret and COS.
Ulta Beauty, one of the US’s largest and most influential specialty beauty retailers, made its UAE debut at Mall of the Emirates in January 2026, offering customers a dynamic, experiential space featuring skincare, cosmetics, and wellness brands.
Khalifa Bin Braik, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim Asset Management, said: “This latest expansion with Alshaya Group cements our position as the leading retail destination partner in the region. Together, we are delivering elevated, future-forward retail experiences that continue to shape the future of shopping in the Middle East. Majid Al Futtaim remains committed to creating destination malls that are hubs of commerce, culture and lifestyle for the region’s diverse consumers.”
John Hadden, Chief Executive Officer of Alshaya Group, commented: “Our long-standing partnership with Majid Al Futtaim has been instrumental in enabling some of the world’s most iconic brands to flourish in the region. This next phase of expansion reflects our shared vision of delivering best-in-class retail experiences that surprise and delight customers. We are especially proud to announce the next Dubai Primark to open in City Centre Mirdif next week.”
Each of these store openings signals the continued evolution of Majid Al Futtaim’s destinations into premium shopping destinations with a dynamic mix of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle offerings.
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About Majid Al Futtaim
Founded in 1992, Majid Al Futtaim is an Emirati-owned, diversified lifestyle conglomerate with operations across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Inspired by the vision of its late founder, Mr. Majid Al Futtaim, to create great moments for everyone, everyday; the company has grown into one of the region’s most respected businesses. The Group employs more than 41,000 people and serves 600 million customers across its physical and digital ecosystem each year. With owned assets valued at US$20 billion, Majid Al Futtaim has the highest credit rating (BBB) among privately held companies in the region.
Majid Al Futtaim owns 29 shopping malls including the flagship Mall of the Emirates, Mall of Egypt, and Mall of Oman as well as the iconic City Centre destinations. Its real estate portfolio includes seven luxury hotels and five mixed-use developments, and it is the creator of highly sought after communities including Ghaf Woods and Tilal Al Ghaf in Dubai, Al Zahia in Sharjah and Al Mouj in Muscat.
In 1995, Majid Al Futtaim introduced modern grocery retail to the region. Today, it owns and operates a portfolio of brands across a network of nearly 500 stores.
Majid Al Futtaim’s assets and interests act as a gateway into the Middle East for global fashion, home and beauty brands, including lululemon, LEGO, Crate and Barrel, and Shiseido, as well as regional multi-brand, omnichannel concept store, THAT. It is the proud operator of more than 600 VOX Cinemas screens and owns a network of world-class leisure and entertainment experiences including the renowned Ski Dubai.
All of its retail and entertainment experiences are linked through SHARE, the UAE’s fastest growing loyalty programme, which leverages AI and advanced data analytics to bring customers personalised rewards, unique experiences and great moments, everyday.
About Alshaya Group
Alshaya Group is a dynamic family-owned business, first established in Kuwait in 1890. With a consistent record of growth and innovation, Alshaya Group is one of the world’s leading brand franchise operators, offering an unparalleled choice of over 50 well-loved, international brands to customers.
Alshaya Group’s portfolio extends across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Türkiye and Europe, with over 3,500 stores, cafes, restaurants, and leisure destinations, major logistics and food production operations, as well as over 125 online and digital businesses including one of the region’s biggest retail loyalty programmes, Aura.
Operating in multiple sectors including Fashion, Food, Health & Beauty, Pharmacy, and Hospitality & Entertainment, over 50,000 Alshaya colleagues are united by a commitment to authentically deliver great customer service and brand experiences.
From flagship stores and restaurants in prestige malls, through to local coffee shops, drive-thrus and online, Alshaya Group brings customers the experiences they want with the brands they love, in the ways they choose – including Starbucks, American Eagle, Footlocker, Victoria’s Secret, H&M, Bath & Body Works, Charlotte Tilbury, Raising Cane’s, Shake Shack, Chipotle, Primark and Ulta Beauty. Learn more about Alshaya Group at www.alshaya.com.
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