CAIRO (Reuters) – Majid Al Futtaim, Emirati franchisee of Carrefour in the Middle East, confirmed on Tuesday without providing explanations the cessation of Carrefour’s activities in Jordan and the change of brand of its 34 stores in the country.

Carrefour Jordan announced the end of its activities Monday evening in a publication on the social network Facebook.

“We thank our customers and apologize for any inconvenience that may result from this decision,” Carrefour Jordanie said, without providing any explanation for the decision.

Majid Al Futtaim, Carrefour’s exclusive franchisee in the Middle East, said in an emailed statement that it “regularly reviews and evaluates its operations to ensure it remains flexible in adapting to changing circumstances.” market dynamics.

Carrefour, which opened in Israel in May 2023, was targeted by the Palestinian “BDS” (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) campaign due to its presence in the country at war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. and against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Carrefour Jordanie’s Facebook post has been shared more than 7,000 times, with many comments linking the closure to the boycott campaign.

Majid Al Futtaim said Hypermax, a “brand-new Arabic grocery chain”, would be rolled out across its 34 stores in Jordan to better meet customers’ needs and their preference for local products.

It is not clear whether stores will be closed during the Hypermax rollout, with Majid Al Futtaim saying only that he will ensure that customers are not unduly penalized.

A Carrefour spokesperson declined to respond to a Reuters request for comment.

(Reporting Menna Alaa in Cairo and Helen Reid in London; Noémie Naudin; edited by Augustin Turpin)

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