Majid Al Futtaim, a family-owned conglomerate which operates shopping malls, retail and hotel establishments in the Middle East and North Africa, has unveiled luxury retail expansion plans with Italian brand partnerships and more than 30 new stores across the Middle East in 2025.
The expansion strategy includes the introduction of Eleventy, Corneliani and Poltrona Frau stores in prime locations within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.
The company aims to open five standalone Eleventy stores at destinations such as Solitaire Mall in Saudi Arabia and Mall of the Emirates in the UAE. Dubai Mall and The Grove will also host Eleventy later in the year.
The move is in response to increasing consumer demand for Italian quality and craftsmanship.
Majid Al Futtaim lifestyle CEO Fahed Ghanim stated: “In a region where customers have an abundance of choice, our ambition is to curate a portfolio of luxury brands that offer something truly distinctive. By introducing brands like Eleventy, Corneliani, and Poltrona Frau, we are bringing new dimensions to the luxury market — combining timeless craftsmanship with modern sensibilities that resonate with the refined tastes of our customers.
“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. Eleventy’s journey, from its initial shop-in-shop to standalone stores, is a testament to 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.”
Eleventy’s expansion capitalises on its existing regional footprint, which already features a shop-in-shop concept store and a pop-up location at Mall of the Emirates.
Marina Mall Abu Dhabi welcomed its first standalone Eleventy store in partnership with Majid Al Futtaim in November 2024.
The collaboration between Majid Al Futtaim and Poltrona Frau will be further solidified with the launch of the brand’s first store outside of the UAE in Riyadh’s Centria Mall in May 2025.
Corneliani has already made its regional debut with a store opening in April at Solitaire Mall.
In early 2025, Majid Al Futtaim announced a strategic shift in Oman, replacing Carrefour with Hypermax.
The retailer’s growth trajectory follows a successful 2024, marked by a 26% revenue increase and a notable 31% boost in digital sales.
The year also saw the addition of 17 new stores to Majid Al Futtaim’s portfolio, raising the total to 87.
This expansion included flagship launches for various international brands and saw an extension into e-commerce with 27 online platforms.
