Carrefour leaving UAE has become a hot topic as HyperMax rolls out across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). With Carrefour shutting down stores in Jordan, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait, people are wondering: will UAE be next?
In this article, we break down what is happening, what Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) says, what HyperMax is, and what shoppers in the UAE should expect.
What is happening with Carrefour and HyperMax in the GCC
Carrefour closures and HyperMax expansion
Over the past ten months, Majid Al Futtaim, which operates Carrefour in many Middle Eastern markets, has been replacing Carrefour stores with its own grocery brand, HyperMax.
Here are some key changes:
- Jordan: Carrefour operations were suspended in November 2024, and HyperMax took over all 34 Carrefour stores there.
- Oman: Carrefour closed its stores in January 2025, and HyperMax spread into that market.
- Bahrain: On September 14, 2025, Carrefour ceased operations there, and the next day HyperMax launched six stores in Bahrain.
- Kuwait: Carrefour exited Kuwait on September 16, 2025. HyperMax is expanding into that country too.
These moves show a pattern of Carrefour leaving some GCC countries, with HyperMax replacing it almost immediately in many cases.
What Majid Al Futtaim says
Amid the closures and launches, MAF has made some statements:
- Majid Al Futtaim operates Carrefour under exclusive franchise rights in many markets in the Middle East and Africa.
- The company says there are no immediate plans to expand HyperMax to every country where Carrefour has operated. Specifically, MAF has said there are no immediate plans for HyperMax to take over Carrefour in the UAE.
Is Carrefour leaving UAE?
What we know so far
So far, Carrefour leaving UAE has not been confirmed. Here are the relevant points:
- MAF has publicly said there are no current plans to rebrand Carrefour stores in the UAE into HyperMax.
- No official announcement has been made regarding Carrefour’s exit from the UAE.
- Media speculation and social media posts have raised questions, especially given what is happening in other GCC countries. But speculation is not the same as confirmation.
Why the UAE might be different
There are several reasons Carrefour leaving UAE might be less likely or slower than in other GCC countries:
- UAE remains a major retail hub with many Carrefour branches, strong customer base, and high competition. A large retail infrastructure means rebrand or exit decisions involve many complexities.
- Real estate, lease agreements, supply chains, workforce, and regulatory permissions all take time to adapt. Replacing all Carrefour stores with HyperMax would require major planning and investment.
- The UAE market is more visible globally, so any change would attract heavy scrutiny, requiring clear communication from MAF and regulators.
What is HyperMax and why MAF is pushing it
The identity of HyperMax
HyperMax is a grocery retail brand owned by Majid Al Futtaim. Key features include:
- Emphasis on locally sourced products, fresh produce, suppliers from the region, and stronger support for local farmers, producers, and small-medium enterprises (SMEs).
- An omnichannel approach: not just physical stores but also e-commerce and delivery infrastructure.
Strategic reasons for the shift
MAF’s shift from Carrefour to HyperMax in some markets appears driven by several strategic considerations:
- Cost and brand control: Owning the brand means more leeway in pricing, procurement, supply chain, and marketing decisions.
- Localisation: By focusing on local products, the brand can respond better to consumer demand for freshness, local content, better pricing, and regional supply chain stability.
- Market dynamics: Several countries may have margins, regulations, or market pressures that make a local brand more viable.
- Brand differentiation: HyperMax allows MAF to differentiate from other global retail players and manage exposure tied to the Carrefour name.
What this means for shoppers and stakeholders in UAE
If Carrefour leaving UAE ever happens, or if HyperMax expands there, these are potential impacts:
For customers
- Store branding: Carrefour stores might be rebranded to HyperMax. That means signage, store layout, product assortment might change.
- Product changes: More focus on local produce and suppliers under HyperMax may change which imported vs local products are available.
- Pricing: Locally sourced items might become more competitively priced. But imported goods may shift in pricing depending on supply and branding agreements.
For employees and suppliers
- Staff might see changes in management, policies, uniforms, possibly restructuring.
- Local suppliers may benefit if HyperMax expands with a local sourcing strategy.
- Suppliers of non-local goods may need to negotiate new terms under HyperMax.
For competition and the market
- Other retail chains may see opportunity: if Carrefour exits a UAE market or reduces its presence, competitors can fill the gap.
- Increased pressure on importers and distributors to align with new standards and local sourcing preferences.
- Possible regulatory interest: transition may draw attention from government authorities regarding competition law, consumer protection, and employment law.
Conclusion: Is Carrefour leaving UAE?
Carrefour leaving UAE is not confirmed. While there is strong evidence of Majid Al Futtaim replacing Carrefour with HyperMax in several GCC countries, the UAE has not been officially included so far.
For now, all things considered:
- MAF says there are no immediate plans to shift Carrefour stores in UAE to HyperMax.
- HyperMax is expanding in Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Oman—but not yet in UAE.
- Rumors should be taken with caution until there’s a formal announcement.
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