Card Factory opens first of 36 stores in Middle East as it targets international expansion

The greeting card specialist’s first store in the region is located at the Bawabat Al Sharq Mall in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with three more stores scheduled to open in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in August.

The opening follows Card Factory’s announcement of an exclusive long-term franchise agreement with Liwa in May this year.

The retailer is to open 36 new stores as part of the deal across the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman as it targets international expansion. 

Syed Kazmi, executive director for business development at Card Factory, said: “Card Factory is delighted to be partnering with Liwa on this highly exciting expansion in the Middle East, taking our international expansion into a new phase.

“We look forward to offering customers in the UAE great quality and value when celebrating all of life’s moments and are confident that our expertise and authority in greetings cards, celebration essentials and gifting will help us quickly become a well-loved brand of customers in the Middle East.”

Darcy Willson-Rymer, chief executive of Card Factory, said: “We are excited to be opening our first stores in the Middle East as we continue to deliver on our ambitious ‘Opening Our New Future’ growth strategy.

“Our entry into the Middle East will underpin our position as a global competitor and help drive our transition to becoming the market-leading omnichannel retailer of cards and gifts.”