Spinneys Expands into Kuwait via Joint Venture with Alshaya

UAE-based fresh food retailer Spinneys has announced its entry into the Kuwaiti market through a strategic joint venture with Alshaya Group, a franchise operator headquartered in Kuwait. This partnership marks Spinneys’ expansion into its fourth Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market.

Under the agreement, Spinneys will hold a 51% controlling stake in the joint venture, and will be responsible for the operation and management of the stores. The partners plan to open ten Spinneys locations in Kuwait, with the first store expected to launch in 2026.

Sunil Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of Spinneys, stated, “We are delighted to announce our entry into Kuwait, as a part of the Strategic Middle East expansion plan, a significant milestone in our strategy to bring Spinneys’ premium fresh food offering to more customers. Kuwait is a high potential market and presents strong growth opportunities for us. While the UAE remains the core of our operations, we are committed to expanding our regional footprint in a way that stays true to our brand values and proposition. The first store under the joint venture is expected to open in 2026, paving the way for a long and successful presence in the Kuwaiti market.”

This move is part of Spinneys’ broader regional growth strategy, which has recently seen the company open 12 new stores in the UAE and two additional locations in Saudi Arabia between April 2024 and August 2025. In the first quarter of 2024, Spinneys reported sales of Dh815 million ($221.89 million), marking a 10.9% year-on-year increase. Revenue for the first half of 2025 rose 13.7% to Dh1.8 billion.

John Hadden, Chief Executive Officer of Alshaya Group, said, “Kuwait is a dynamic market with a strong appetite for premium offerings, and we believe Spinneys’ proven brand and operational excellence will resonate strongly with local consumers. This joint venture brings together both companies’ deep local expertise across the GCC and a shared commitment to delivering high-quality and fresh offerings to the discerning customer in Kuwait.”