The first two B&Q stores in Saudi Arabia are opening in autumn 2021

Kingfisher has signed a franchise agreement with the Al-Futtaim Group to expand its B&Q brand into the Middle East.

Kingfisher is expanding into Saudi Arabia and the Middle East with its B&Q brand. The British DIY store group has signed a franchise agreement with the Al-Futtaim Group for this purpose. The first two B&Q stores in Saudi Arabia are expected to be opened in autumn 2021, there is said to be an online shop at the same time. They will have almost 5 000 m² retail space and will be completely operated by the Al-Futtaim Group. The full assortment will also include the own brands Erbauer, Magnusson and GoodHome. The partnership with Al-Futtaim is a part of the "Powered by Kingfisher" strategy, the company says. The plan intends to expand into new regions through partnerships with the group's various sales channels and own brands.

The Al-Futtaim Group is active in several sectors with more than 200 brands in over 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. For instance, the group hasn't only been operating the Ikea stores in Egypt, Oman, Qatar and the United Arabic Emirates since 1991, it is also present as member of the US American specialist trade cooperative Ace Hardware in the United Arabic Emirates. It also operates furnishings stores by the Homeworks brand in Bahrain, Egypt and Saudi Arabia and has a Homezone store in Bahrain.