Williams-Sonoma Inc. (San Francisco) announced that it has entered into a multi-year franchise agreement with M.H. Alshaya Co. W.L.L. to launch the company’s portfolio of brands in the Middle East. The first four stores are expected to open in Dubai and Kuwait in 2010, and will include the Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids brands.
“We believe there is a significant opportunity to extend the reach of our brands beyond North America and are thrilled to be doing so with the M. H. Alshaya organization,” said Howard Lester, chairman and ceo of Williams-Sonoma. “Alshaya is one of the pre-eminent retailers in the Middle East and their experience bringing leading retail brands into the region as well as their marketing expertise gives usgreat confidence in the long-term potential of this growth strategy.”
Williams-Sonoma currently operates 630 home goods stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico under the Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen, West Elm and Williams-Sonoma Home brands. Kuwait-based M.H. Alshaya Co. W.L.L. is an international franchise operator for over 50 retail brands. It operates more than 1,700 stores across six divisions in the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey, Cyprus, Russia and Poland.