Popular budget fashion brand Primark has confirmed the opening date of its first store in Dubai, marking its highly anticipated entry into the Middle East. The Primark Dubai opening date — 26 March 2026 — brings one of the world's most affordable high-street retailers to The Dubai Mall for the very first time.
Two additional UAE stores are set to open shortly after: City Centre Mirdif in April and Mall of the Emirates in May 2026. The entire expansion is being developed in partnership with Alshaya Group, one of the region's leading retail franchise operators.
Affordable Fashion Arrives in Dubai
Primark is known worldwide for its accessible clothing and accessories for men, women, and children. In Dubai, shoppers can expect items such as jeans priced around AED 50 and T-shirts starting from AED 15, making it one of the most affordable international fashion brands entering the UAE retail market.
The Dubai Mall flagship will span 60,000 sq ft across a single sales floor and employ around 600 colleagues, stocking the brand's complete womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, homeware, cosmetics, and accessories ranges.
Primark's First Middle East Expansion
According to Primark's interim CEO Eoin Tonge, the Dubai launch represents an important step in the company's global growth strategy. He noted that the brand is excited to expand into the Middle East and bring its value-focused fashion offering to new customers in the region.
John Hadden, CEO of Alshaya Group, said the partnership had "already generated strong excitement among shoppers" across the region, adding that stock levels are more than sufficient to meet demand.
A Global Retail Giant Arrives in the Gulf
Primark was founded in 1969 in Dublin, Ireland, and has since grown into one of the world's largest fast-fashion retailers, operating over 450 stores across 17 markets. Its flagship Oxford Street location in London once recorded £820,000 in sales in a single day — a testament to the pulling power the brand is bringing to Dubai.
Alshaya Group's Regional Retail Network
Alshaya Group, the Kuwait-based franchise partner bringing Primark to the UAE, manages a vast retail portfolio across the Middle East. The company operates more than 4,000 stores, restaurants, and cafés and partners with several major international brands, including American Eagle, Bath & Body Works, H&M, Shake Shack, and Victoria's Secret.
What to Expect at the Dubai Mall Store
With three stores opening in quick succession across the city, Primark's arrival is expected to attract strong demand from budget-conscious fashion shoppers throughout Dubai. The Dubai Mall opening on 26 March marks the beginning of the brand's Middle East chapter — giving UAE residents access to one of the world's most popular affordable fashion retailers for the first time.
