Primark is opening its first store in the UAE this month.
The Irish low-cost high street company is expected to welcome shoppers in Dubai Mall from 10am on Thursday, March 26.
This will be followed by a store in Mirdif City Centre by the end of April and a third in Mall of the Emirates by late May.
Primark made its foray into the region with a store in Kuwait in October, and branches have also been announced for Qatar and Bahrain by the end of 2026.
Eoin Tonge, Primark's interim chief executive, described the reaction to the first store in Kuwait as “amazing”.
“It shows the potential of our brand in the Middle East. We are now delighted to announce the expansion of our franchise partnership with Alshaya Group with five stores due to open in 2026 in UAE, Bahrain and Qatar – beginning with Dubai Mall in March.”
What began as a shop called Penney's in Dublin in 1969 has since grown to more than 470 stores in 18 countries. Primark is famous for offering budget clothing for men, women and children, as well as accessories, beauty and home goods.
Shoppers can look forward to a similarly wide range of pieces in the Dubai outposts.
What to expect and how much will it cost?
If the Kuwait branch – which occupies 5,570 square metres across two floors – and average shop sizes in Dubai Mall are anything to go by, shoppers can expect a large store.
As for what will be on the shelves and how much products will cost, Primark and local partner, Alshaya Group, are tight-lipped. Given that every country has its own rules on tariffs, taxes and shipping costs, prices are expected to be different from the UK.
A quick comparison between pricing in Kuwait, the UK and the US might give an idea of what to expect in the UAE.
Primark prices are lowest in Ireland – where the brand originates – and the UK, with prices a little higher elsewhere.
A pair of women's barrel-leg trousers, for example, sells online in Kuwait for KWD7 (Dh92), on the UK page for £16 (Dh79) and on the US page for $25 (Dh84).
A men's graphic My Chemical Romance T-shirt, costs KWD6 (Dh72) on the Kuwait site and $22 (Dh81) in the US.
A three-piece Winnie the Pooh newborn starter set that includes pyjamas, a onesie and a bib, is priced at KWD2.6 (Dh31) reduced from KWD5 (Dh60) on the Kuwait site, and £10 (Dh49) on the UK page.
In homeware, the Enchanted Orchid scented candle costs KWD2.6 (Dh31) in Kuwait, £6 (Dh30) in the UK, and $10 (Dh37) in the US.
Shoppers can also expect budget-friendly wardrobe staples such as multipack T-shirts for men from KWD4.5 (Dh54), women's jeans from KWD7 (Dh84), bedding duvet sets for the same price, and a hard-shell travel case from KWD11.5 (Dh138).
