{{Short description|Kuwaiti retail franchise operator}} {{Advert|date=April 2021}} {{Infobox company | name = Alshaya Group. | logo = M.H. Alshaya Co. Logo.png | type = Private (Owned by the Alshaya family) | founded = Part of Alshaya group of companies founded in 1890 | hq_location = [[Kuwait City]], [[Kuwait]] | area_served = Middle East and North Africa, Turkey and Europe | key_people = {{Unbulleted list |Mohammed Alshaya<br />([[Executive Chairman]]) |John Hadden{{wbr}} ([[CEO]])}} | industry = Retail | products = [[Franchising]], [[Retail]] | owner = Alshaya family | divisions = Fashion and Footwear, Food, Health & Beauty, Pharmacy,Hospitality, Leisure & Entertainment | website = {{Official URL}} }}
'''Alshaya Group''' (also called the '''M.{{nbsp}}H. Alshaya Co.''') is a multinational retail franchise operator headquartered in Kuwait.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/0f99ec1c-a8ae-11e1-a747-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3ia0lKtwk|title=Master of eastern retail turns westward|agency=Nikkei|newspaper=[[The Financial Times]]}}</ref> It operates nearly 50 consumer retail brands across the Middle East and North Africa, Turkey, and Europe.<ref name="bethkowitt">{{cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2013/02/12/m-h-alshaya-the-mystery-company-importing-americana-to-the-mideast/|title=M. H. Alshaya: The mystery company importing Americana to the Mideast|author=Beth Kowitt|date=12 February 2013|work=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]}}</ref> In addition to its retail operations, the Alshaya Group has holdings in real estate, construction, hotels, automotive and general trading, largely centered in the Middle East.<ref name="bethkowitt"/>
==History== Alshaya is believed to be the oldest company in Kuwait. M.H Alshaya Co. was registered in 1890 and initially established trading links between Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and India. In 1890, M.{{nbsp}}H. Alshaya Co. was founded in Kuwait as a shipping company, initially trading with British India. In 1965, the company diversified by opening a [[Sheraton Hotels and Resorts|Sheraton]] hotel in Kuwait City, the first Sheraton outside North America.<ref name="ft.com"/> In 1983, Alshaya expanded its franchising business when it acquired the Kuwait franchise rights for UK retailer [[Mothercare]].<ref name="ft.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/b3695906-3817-11dd-aabb-0000779fd2ac.html#axzz3gWkTXPC0|title=Alshaya Group spreads web of familiar brands through eastern Europe|agency=Nikkei|newspaper=[[The Financial Times]]}}</ref> [[H&M]],<ref name="businessoffashion.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/market-gps/the-family-firms-ruling-fashion-in-the-gulf-states|title=The Family Firms Ruling Fashion in the Gulf States|work=The Business of Fashion}}</ref> In 1999, Alshaya entered the food retail sector with a partnership with [[Starbucks]].<ref name="benzinga.com"/> Alshaya's acquisition of the [[Topshop]] franchise for Turkey in 2002 was its first expansion outside the Middle East. The company moved into Russia in 2005 with the acquisition of the Russian franchise rights for Mothercare.<ref name="ft.com"/> In 2006, Alshaya launched international clothing retailer H&M in the Middle East, followed by a number of US-headquartered brands looking to expand into the Middle East: [[Dean and Deluca]] (2008), [[P. F. Chang's China Bistro|P. F. Chang's]],<ref name="arabianbusiness.com1"/> [[Pinkberry]] and [[Payless ShoeSource]]<ref name="cjonline.com"/> (all 2009). In 2010, Alshaya added [[American Eagle Outfitters|American Eagle]] to its portfolio. It also secured franchise rights for the first international outlets of [[Texas Roadhouse]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/kuwait-s-alshaya-launch-mideast-s-first-texas-roadhouse-419707.html#.Va4-D_mqqko|title=Kuwait's Alshaya to launch MidEast's first Texas Roadhouse|work=[[Arabian Business]]}}</ref> and opened its first [[Victoria's Secret]] Beauty and Accessories stores in the Middle East in [[Bahrain]] and [[Kuwait]].<ref name="retailgazette.co.uk1"/> In June 2012, the first [[The Cheesecake Factory]] restaurant outside North America opened in the UAE.<ref name="bethkowitt"/> In November 2012, further brands were added to Alshaya's portfolio: Harvey Nichols Kuwait,<ref name="vogue.co.uk"/> Victoria's Secret, [[Jack Wills]] and COS.
In December 2012, Alshaya opened the Alshaya Retail Academy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, providing retail training and employment on graduation for young Saudi women.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=[[Saudi Gazette]]|title=Alshaya Retail Academy for Saudi youth opens in Riyadh|url=http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20121212145708|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402181444/http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20121212145708|archive-date=2015-04-02}}</ref> In February 2013 Alshaya opened up the 160th location of [[The Cheesecake Factory]] in [[The Avenues (Kuwait)]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fortune.com/2013/02/12/m-h-alshaya-the-mystery-company-importing-americana-to-the-mideast/|last=Kowitt |first=Beth |date=February 12, 2013|title=M. H. Alshaya: The mystery company importing Americana to the Mideast|work=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]|access-date=July 7, 2019}}</ref> In April 2014, Alshaya announced it would open two more Alshaya Retail Academies in Saudi Arabia, in Jeddah and Dammam.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=[[Gulf News]]|title= Alshaya to open two more retail academies in Saudi Arabia |url=http://gulfnews.com/business/retail/alshaya-to-open-two-more-retail-academies-in-saudi-arabia-1.1326400}}</ref> Alshaya moved into the Leisure and Entertainment sector in June 2013 with the opening of [[KidZania]] Kuwait, at The Avenues (Kuwait). [[Muji]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/kuwait-s-alshaya-inks-deal-with-japanese-retailer-451425.html|title=Kuwait's Alshaya inks deal with Japanese retailer|work=Arabian Business}}</ref> opened at The Avenues in the same year. Katsuya by [[Philippe Starck]]<ref name="arabianbusiness.com2"/> launched in Kuwait and the UAE, and in December 2013, more Alshaya restaurant brands were introduced to Saudi Arabia—The Cheesecake Factory, Texas Roadhouse, [[Shake Shack]], P. F. Chang's and [[PizzaExpress]].<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=[[Arab News]]|title= Alshaya brings 6 world-class restaurant brands to Le Mall |url=http://www.arabnews.com/news/494586}}</ref> 2015 saw the Middle East debut of fast-food chicken restaurant [[Raising Cane's]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/business/article_443ae096-6bab-588d-8cbb-9489c990ef21.html|title=Raising Cane's to open its first overseas restaurant in Kuwait City|author=Timothy Boone|website=[[The Advocate (Louisiana)|The Advocate]]|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://alshaya.com/news-centre/press-releases/item/33953-raising-cane-s-celebrates-its-middle-east-debut-in-partnership-with-alshaya |title=Raising Cane's celebrates its Middle East debut in partnership with Alshaya |access-date=2016-11-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114004320/http://alshaya.com/news-centre/press-releases/item/33953-raising-cane-s-celebrates-its-middle-east-debut-in-partnership-with-alshaya |archive-date=2016-11-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref> in Kuwait. In 2016, Alshaya launched its loyalty programme, Privileges Club,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.alshaya.com/en/privileges-club/|title=PRIVILEGES CLUB|website=Alshaya.com|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref> in Kuwait, with plans to roll the programme out across its GCC markets. Lebanese restaurant Babel opened its first outlet outside Lebanon, in Kuwait.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabtimesonline.com/wp-content/uploads/pdf/2016/dec/15/ATKWT20161215.pdf|title=Kuwait urges Security Council to act|website=Arabtimesonline.com|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref> In 2017, several new brands made their Middle Eastern debut, including [[Bouchon Bakery]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoteliermiddleeast.com/31441-thomas-keller-makes-dubai-debut-with-bouchon-bakery/|title=Thomas Keller makes Dubai debut with Bouchon Bakery|first=Claudia De|last=Brito|website=HotelierMiddleEast.com|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref> [[Charlotte Tilbury]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabtimesonline.com/wp-content/uploads/pdf/2017/oct/27/20.pdf|title=Charlotte Tilbury makes dazzling Middle East debut|website=Arabtimesonline.com|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref> [[NYX Cosmetics]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ae.fashionnetwork.com/news/Nyx-enters-the-Middle-East-with-Abu-Dhabi-store,865041.html|title=Nyx enters the Middle East with Abu Dhabi store|author=Benjamin Fitzgerald|website=FashionNetwork.com|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref> 400 Gradi;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizbahrain.com/400-gradi-launches-handcrafted-italian-cuisine-bahrain/|title=400 Gradi launches its handcrafted Italian cuisine in Bahrain|website=Bizbahrain.com|date=29 November 2017|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref> and & Other Stories.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/business/retail/a-swedish-fashion-brand-with-a-story-to-tell-1.2016272|title=A Swedish fashion brand with a story to tell|website=Gulfnews.com|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref> The company also opened the [[Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts|Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait]] at Burj Alshaya in downtown Kuwait City. Burj Alshaya features the 22-story Four Seasons in the Eastern Tower and houses the corporate headquarters of the company in the 43-story Western Tower. Also making their regional debut at Kuwait's new Avenues Phase IV extension were Swedish fashion brand Monki,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bazaar.town/monki-kuwait-hm-middle-east/|title=MONKI IS COMING TO KUWAIT|date=10 October 2017|website=Bazaar.town|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref> [[Blaze Pizza]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/03/22/1444557/0/en/Blaze-Fast-Fire-d-Pizza-Opens-First-Middle-East-Location-at-The-Avenues-in-Kuwait.html|title=Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza Opens First Middle East Location at The Avenues in Kuwait|first=Blaze|last=Pizza|date=22 March 2018|website=GlobeNewswire News Room|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref> and new entertainment concept TekZone.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pressreader.com/kuwait/arab-times/20180624/282372630341302 |title=TEKZONE opens at the Avenues, Phase IV |access-date=12 February 2019 |via=PressReader}}</ref> Luxury Home Fragrance brand Dr. Vranjes Firenze <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/story/Home_Fragrance_Brand_Dr_Vranjes_Firenze_to_open_first_flagship_store_in_the_Middle_East-ZAWYA20180923085437|title=Home Fragrance Brand Dr. Vranjes Firenze to open first flagship store in the Middle East|website=Zawya.com|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref> made its first Middle East foray later that year. In January 2019, Alshaya opened its own brand Amiti Noura,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alanba.com.kw/ar/kuwait-news/advertising/880974/24-01-2019|title=Original Kuwaiti flavors from the restaurant "Amati Noura" now in the Avenues|website=Alanba.com.kw|language=ar|access-date=2019-01-30}}</ref> a restaurant that offers traditional Kuwaiti cuisine at Kuwait's largest shopping mall, The Avenues followed by the opening of contemporary New York city-based fashion brand alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet, in April.
Later that year, Alshaya Group partnered with Hilton to open 70 Hampton by Hilton Hotels in nine countries the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey and Russia. In December 2019, Alshaya signed an agreement with Equinox Group to bring three fitness brands to the region: Equinox Fitness Clubs, SoulCycle and Blink Fitness, with initial opening plans focused on Dubai in late 2020. They also announced plans to bring the Canopy by Hilton hotel brand to Kuwait. In early 2020, Alshaya introduced café and bakery Princi to Kuwait.
In March 2022 Alshaya Group temporarily closed all stores in Russia (Starbucks, Mothercare, The Body Shop, Victoria's Secret), which might be connected to the international sanctions imposed against Russia because of [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|its invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=All brands in Russia (Please note our stores in Russia are temporarily closed) |url=https://www.alshaya.com/en/locations/russia/ |access-date=2022-04-08 |website=www.alshaya.com}}</ref>
That year, Alshaya introduced two home fashion brands in the region made in the UAE; Tribe of 6, and Cheekee Munkee, featuring everyday essentials for kids. This was followed by the launch of the new customer loyalty programme Aura in Qatar Kuwait, UAE and KSA. Later that year, Alshaya Technical, an entity of Alshaya Group was announced as the authorised and designated Master Distributor of Swiss Quality Coffee Equipment provider Thermoplan AG. The partnership highlighted the opening of the first Customer Experience Center in February, 2023.
In 2023, Alshaya unveiled the first Shake Shack drive-thru outside the US in the UAE and signed an agreement to become [[Chipotle Mexican Grill|Chipotle's]] first ever franchise partner in the Middle East.
In April 2024, Alshaya opens doors to the Middle East’s first-ever Chipotle at The Avenues in Kuwait. The new restaurant debuts the company’s latest design format and offers a variety of in-restaurant ordering experiences. This was followed by the opening of the first Hampton by Hilton in Kuwait, in May. Located in the heart of Kuwait, in the Salmiya District, Hampton by Hilton Kuwait Salmiya boasts 110 modern and stylishly designed bedrooms.
==Operations== Some of the brands managed and operated by Alshaya Group include [[Raising Cane's]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.alshaya.com/brands/food/raising-cane-s|title=Raising Cane's|website=Alshaya.com}}</ref> Mothercare, American Eagle,<ref name="retailgazette.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2014/06/14340-american-eagle-outfitters-to-open-three-uk-stores|title=American Eagle Outfitters to open three UK stores|website=Retailgazette.co.uk|date=30 June 2014 }}</ref> Harvey Nichols Kuwait,<ref name="vogue.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2009/01/27/harvey-nichols-to-open-in-kuwait|title=Harvey Nichols to open in Kuwait (Vogue.co.uk)|work=Vogue UK|date=27 January 2009 }}</ref> Payless ShoeSource,<ref name="cjonline.com">{{cite web|url=http://cjonline.com/news/2009-06-17/payless_adds_store_in_middle_east|title=Payless adds store in Middle East|work=CJOnline.com}}</ref> Topshop,<ref name="businessoffashion.com"/> Starbucks,<ref name="benzinga.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.benzinga.com/news/13/03/3433183/update-starbucks-issues-highlights-from-annual-shareholder-meeting-introduces-cro|title=Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) - UPDATE: Starbucks Issues Highlights from Annual Shareholder Meeting, Introduces Cross-Channel, Multi-Brand Loyalty Program, Reaffirms Outlook|work=Benzinga}}</ref> Shake Shack,<ref name="arabianbusiness.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/alshaya-roll-shake-shack-out-across-middle-east-411834.html|title=Alshaya to roll Shake Shack out across Middle East|work=Arabian Business}}</ref> The Cheesecake Factory,<ref name="bethkowitt"/> Pinkberry,<ref name="bethkowitt"/> P. F. Chang's,<ref name="arabianbusiness.com1">{{cite web|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/p-f-chang-s-expand-into-mideast-13315.html|title=P.F. Chang's to expand into Mideast|work=Arabian Business}}</ref> [[Le Pain Quotidien]],<ref name="arabianbusiness.com1"/> Katsuya by Philippe Starck,<ref name="arabianbusiness.com2">{{cite web|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/alshaya-bring-new-restaurant-brand-gulf--474166.html|title=Alshaya to bring new restaurant brand to Gulf|work=Arabian Business}}</ref> [[The Body Shop]], Victoria's Secret,<ref name="retailgazette.co.uk1">{{cite web|url=http://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2014/08/00331-5-things-you-didnt-know-about-victorias-secret|title=5 things you didn't know about Victoria's Secret|website=Retailgazette.co.uk|date=18 August 2014 }}</ref> [[Boots pharmacy]], and KidZania Kuwait.<ref name="rebeccamead">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/01/19/grow|title=When I Grow Up|author=Rebecca Mead|date=19 January 2015|magazine=The New Yorker}}</ref> Its hotel division owns the [[Sheraton Hotel]], which includes [[Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts|Four Seasons Hotel]] and [[Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts|Waldorf Astoria]] in Kuwait and the [[Oberoi Hotel]] in Medina, Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/gcc-s-most-admired-executives-mohammed-alshaya-88580.html#.Va5RKvmqqkq|title=GCC's Most Admired Executives-Mohammed AlShaya|work=Arabian Business}}</ref>
=== Debenhams (1997–2025) === In 1997, the British department store chain [[Debenhams]] expanded into the Middle East. The first location was in [[Bahrain]], however by 2015, the Debenhams chain had expanded across [[Kuwait]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Egypt]], and [[Qatar]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Franchising helps Debenhams expand overseas |url=http://www.thefranchisemagazine.net/page/debenhams/7wwu25.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702210805/http://www.thefranchisemagazine.net/page/debenhams/7wwu25.php |archive-date=2016-07-02 |access-date=2015-07-21 |website=Thefranchisemagazine.net}}</ref> In 2021, the Debenhams chain collapsed into administration in the United Kingdom, with most of the previous franchise agreements in many other countries having collapsed before this; however, the Debenhams chain in the Middle East continued to be operated by Alshaya Group under license from [[Boohoo.com]], who purchased the assets from liquidation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-12 |title=Kuwait’s Alshaya Retains Regional Debenhams Rights |url=https://www.businessoffashion.com/news/global-markets/kuwaits-alshaya-retains-regional-debenhams-rights/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=The Business of Fashion |language=en}}</ref> In December 2025, all remaining stores were closed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ross |first=Katie |date=4 December 2025 |title=Debenhams and River Island shutter Middle East stores |url=https://www.drapersonline.com/news/debenhams-and-river-island-shutter-middle-east-stores |access-date=21 January 2026 |website=Drapers |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
[[Category:Companies based in Kuwait City]] [[Category:Retail companies of Kuwait]]