In China, KFC equips managers with an AI voice assistant Asia In China, on June 20, 2025, Yum China (2024 revenue: US$10.65 billion, 2.5% after a rise of 14.1% in 2023) announced the launch of an AI-integrated voice assistant in several KFC restaurants.…
Unibail launches franchise in Saudi Arabia with Cenomi Centers Africa, Middle East On May 5, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) announced a launch in Saudi Arabia through a franchise partnership with operator Cenomi Centers.…
Carrefour re-signs with Majid Al Futtaim until 2031 Africa, Middle East On April 3, Carrefour renewed an exclusive franchise agreement until 2031 with the Emirati group Majid Al Futtaim (turnover 2024: €8.53 billion,…
For the first time since 2020, the number of French franchised stores fell in 2024 Europe Closures in the fashion sector, lower performance for supermarkets and household equipment farnchised stores, which underperformed the market... In France, the number of franchises fell by 1.4% in 2024. A first in 5 years.
Franchise : Ulta Beauty enters the Middle East with Alshaya Africa, Middle East After announcing a first international expansion into Mexico in March 2024, the U.S. retailer Ulta Beauty (2023 turnover of US$11.2 billion, up 5.7%,…
Maisons du Monde sales plummet for 3rd year running Europe In a French furniture market down by 5.1% to €13.8 billion in 2024 (IPEA), Maisons du Monde (338 stores at the end of 2024) reported annual sales of €1.002 billion on February 4,…
La Foir’fouille chooses Duval for franchise African expansion Africa, Middle East On January 31, discount chain La Foir’fouille (steady 2023 sales at €815 million,…
Auchan Russia is counting on sanctions being lifted to continue trading Asia Auchan Retail (2023 sales €32.26 billion, down 2% in a year, via 2,354 stores in 12 countries) has ended discussions with Gazprombank concerning the sale of 232 Russian stores,…
Majid Al Futtaim launches retail media solution in the Middle East Africa, Middle East The Majid Al Futtaim conglomerate (sales 2023 of US$9.4 billion up by 1.1%, after + 12% in 2022) launches Precision Media,…
Auchan Retail to sell Russian stores to Gazprombank Europe Auchan Retail is in the process of withdrawing from Russia, with the sale of all 232 stores, according to La Lettre. While the company announced that it will remain in Ukraine, it is considering closing in Hungary, thereby shedding €4.46 billion in sales.
