Majid Al Futtaim accelerates its luxury retail strategy in the GCC, building on strong 2024 growth with a curated expansion of premium brands across key regional markets.
After a stellar 2024, which saw a 26% growth in its Lifestyle business, Majid Al Futtaim has announced an ambitious expansion of its luxury retail portfolio for 2025. With 30 new store openings planned, the company aims to capitalise on the growing demand for luxury and differentiated retail experiences in the GCC.
Italian Icons Enter the GCC
On the expansion portfolio are Italian brands Eleventy, Corneliani, and Poltrona Frau, with store openings planned across key locations in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. These brands reflect Majid Al Futtaim’s commitment to blending classic craftsmanship with contemporary sensibilities.
Fahed Ghanim, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Lifestyle, said, “In a region where customers have an abundance of choice, we aim to curate a portfolio of luxury brands that offer something truly distinctive. At Majid Al Futtaim, our work with luxury brands has been deeply rooted in THAT Concept Store, which has been instrumental in identifying and nurturing brands with the potential to thrive in this market.”
He added, “Eleventy’s journey, from its initial shop-in-shop to standalone stores, showcases how we test, scale, and grow global luxury brands. This strategic approach allows us to continuously evolve the luxury retail experience, delivering fresh, distinctive offerings that resonate with our customers.”
Location Breakdown
Majid Al Futtaim is set to open five standalone Eleventy stores in prominent GCC locations in 2025. These include Solitaire Mall in Saudi Arabia, Mall of the Emirates, and Marsa Al Arab, all of which launched this month. Later in the year, Dubai Mall and The Grove in the UAE will also join the list of locations.
Reflecting the rising consumer demand for quality and understated elegance, Eleventy combines sustainable practices and premium materials under the ‘Made in Italy’ banner. This expansion builds on Eleventy’s successful regional presence, including a shop-in-shop at THAT Concept Store, a pop-up at Mall of the Emirates, and its first standalone store at Marina Mall Abu Dhabi, launched with Majid Al Futtaim in November 2024.
Marco Baldassari, Co-Founder and Menswear Creative Director at Eleventy, said, “Eleventy’s philosophy of understated elegance and commitment to sustainability resonates strongly with the sophisticated Middle Eastern consumer. Majid Al Futtaim’s visionary approach to luxury retail is shaping a new vision with a growing focus on customer needs. Together, we aim to redefine luxury retail by offering timeless craftsmanship, sustainable practices, and innovative experiences.”
Looking ahead, Majid Al Futtaim plans to further strengthen its partnership with Poltrona Frau, the renowned Italian luxury furniture brand, by introducing its first store in the region outside the UAE at Centria Mall, Riyadh, in May. Poltrona Frau, a key player in the group’s portfolio, saw remarkable success in 2024, with revenue soaring fivefold following the launch of its second UAE store at the Mall of the Emirates.
Nicola Coropulis, CEO of Poltrona Frau, said: “In over two years of partnership with Majid Al Futtaim, we have focused on strategic growth and elevating the customer experience across the region. The revitalisation of our flagship store in Jumeirah and our successful debut at the Mall of the Emirates have been key milestones in our journey. We are now excited to bring this momentum to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with our first store in Riyadh.”
Finally, Corneliani, the Italian menswear brand, made its regional debut at Solitaire Mall in Saudi Arabia this April. Founded in 1930, Corneliani is renowned for its craftsmanship and presence in over 70 countries. With its first standalone store in the Middle East, Majid Al Futtaim is bringing Corneliani’s timeless suits and sophisticated casualwear to more customers across the region.
Notably, in Majid Al Futtaim’s expansion frontier, KSA remains a lucrative growth market, with seven of the 30 new stores headed to Saudi Arabia. This aligns with KSA’s Vision 2030, where reforms are reshaping consumer behaviours, with more global brands targeting the Kingdom for first-time entries.
Majid Al Futtaim’s 2025 luxury expansion is more than a store count—it’s a blueprint for how to win in the GCC luxury market through brand curation, market testing, regional insight, and a strong experiential playbook. This sets a high bar for competitors and a rich opportunity for brands looking to enter the Middle East.
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