John Lewis is understood to be in talks to open department stores across the Middle East, according to reports.

It is thought to be in the final stages of agreeing a deal with Dubai-based developer, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate, according to property magazine Estates Gazette.

John Lewis declined to comment on the story, other than to say: “John Lewis is always looking at new opportunities for expansion and growth however we have no news on international development plans.”

According to the report, John Lewis will open several stores in the Middle East, including in Egypt, from 2012. Developments in the country include Al-Futtaim’s 56m sq ft Dubai Festival City as well as the 32m sq ft Cairo Festival City, set to open in 2012.

John Lewis’ sister chain Waitrose already has stores in the Middle East, in Dubai and Bahrain.

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