International fashion retailer, Hennes & Mauritz, will open four H&M stores in the Middle East next month, following a franchising agreement with MH Alshaya, one of the region’s leading retail groups.

Three stores will open in Dubai, two in the Mall of the Emirates, and one in Ibn Battuta and one in the Marina Mall, Kuwait.

“We are very proud to open our first stores in this fast-growing region with high fashion awareness and spending power,” says Rolf Eriksen, chief executive of H&M. “We are convinced that we can offer our customers added value through fashion and quality at the best price.”

“There is a huge market potential for H&M and MH Alshaya enjoys the regional knowledge and retailing expertise. The wide assortment on offer coupled with the introduction of new garments into the store
every day makes it quite a unique offering within the Middle East”, says Mohamed Alshaya, CEO of MH Alshaya.

Founded in 1947, H&M has over 1,200 stores in 22 countries. Its name is known around the world for its affordable, upto-date and high quality fashion. The company’s collections are created by more than 100 in-house designers and the autumn/winter seasonal trends are inspired by the couturiers of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Designs are updated in sweatshirt materials and wool jersey, and teamed with sports pieces and basic classics like jeans, t-shirts and knitwear. The Victorian era is important, as well as the Scandinavian peasant
romantic styles.

MH Alshaya is one of the leading retail companies operating in the Middle East and is the franchisee for more than 42 international retail brands, including Debenhams, The Body Shop, MAC, and Starbucks Coffee.
Based in Kuwait, Alshaya has more than 1000 stores across 11 countries. Alshaya Retail employs more than 8000 people of 46 different nationalities.