Our history

First established in 1890 in Kuwait, Alshaya Group is a dynamic multinational business and family owned
enterprise.
For 35 years, Alshaya has been a pioneering force in international brand franchising. Today Alshaya operates
in multiple sectors including Fashion, Food, Health & Beauty, Pharmacy, Home Furnishings and Leisure &
Entertainment, Alshaya Group colleagues are united by a commitment to authentically deliver great customer
service and brand experiences.
Discover some of the highlights of our history in the timeline below.
1890
 The Alshaya family establish their business in Kuwait and grow steadily over the years. Their name
becomes a byword for trading and commerce in the region.
 
1960s-1970s
 The company expands substantially and builds a wide portfolio of businesses and investments.
 
1983
 Alshaya enters international retail franchising with the opening of its first Mothercare store in Kuwait.
 
1980s–1990s
 Over the next two decades Alshaya grows across the Middle East and expands its portfolio,
introducing new fashion brands including Debenhams, moving into Health & Beauty in 1992, and into Food
in 1999 when it partners with Starbucks.
 
2000s
 Leading cosmetics brand M.A.C opens in 2001. Alshaya expands beyond the Middle East with its
move into Turkey in 2002, Russia in 2005, Egypt in 2006, and CEE in 2007.
 Alshaya also expands into the Pharmacy and Optics sectors, with the Boots and Vision Express brands
(2005 and 2006).
 Further fashion and food brands open including the first H&M in the region in 2006, Dean & Deluca
in 2008, and P. F. Chang's, Pinkberry and Payless ShoeSource in 2009.
 
2010–2015
From the start of the decade Alshaya continues to grow and expand its partnerships with an exciting mix of
leading international brands:
 2010: Alshaya welcomes American Eagle Outfitters and Victoria’s Secret to the region. It expands
into Home Furnishings with Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids.
 2011: US food brands, Potbelly Sandwich Shops, Texas Roadhouse and Shake Shack join the
portfolio. Alshaya expands into Iraq and Morocco.
 2012: The much anticipated opening of The Cheesecake Factory takes place in Dubai. IHOP, Harvey
Nichols, Jack Wills, COS, West Elm, Williams-Sonoma, and PB Teen all debut in Kuwait.
 2013: Alshaya expands into Leisure & Entertainment with the opening of KidZania Kuwait. MUJI
open the same year.
 2015: Alshaya opens its 3,000th establishment. Award-winning restaurant brand Raising Cane’s also
makes its Middle East debut.
  
2016–present
 In 2017 further beauty brands launch in the region: Charlotte Tilbury, NYX Professional Makeup,
Aveda and Le Labo. Fashionistas welcome & Other Stories.
 In 2018 new fashion brands Monki and Kurt Geiger open. Further beauty and fragrance brand
partnerships include Etude House and Dr. Vranjes. Our Food business also continues to grow and we
welcome customers to Blaze Pizza. TekZone, our innovative virtual reality (VR) destination sees us extend
our leisure and entertainment offer.
 2019 saw Alshaya open Alice & Olivia, Amiti Noura, and Ahwet Zeitouna. We also announced an
hospitality partnership with Hilton for the Hampton by Hilton and Canopy brands, and Equinox.
 2020 got off to a flying start with the opening of Korean beauty brand, Innisfree and famous Milanese
bakery, Princi.
Select your country
 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
 United Arab Emirates
 Kuwait
 Qatar
 Bahrain
 Egypt
 Lebanon
 Jordan
 Oman
 Morocco
 Tunisia
 Iraq
 Russia
 Kazakhstan
 Turkey
 Azerbaijan
 Poland
 Romania
 Czech Republic
 Home
With some of the world’s most recognized brands, Alshaya brings great
shopping, dining, leisure and hospitality experiences to millions of customers
across the Middle East & North Africa, Russia, Turkey, Europe and beyond.
From shopping amazing brands online to enjoying your favorite food brands in
the comfort of your home, we’ve got something for everyone. Something
Alshaya!