Williams-Sonoma to expand globally

San Francisco Williams-Sonoma Wednesday announced that it has entered into a multi-year franchise agreement with M.H. Alshaya Co., W.L.L. to open stores in the Middle East. The first four locations 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 preeminent retailers in the Middle East and their experience bringing leading retail brands into the region as well as their marketing expertise gives us great confidence in the long-term potential of this growth strategy.”

M.H. Alshaya Co. operates over 1,700 stores across six divisions with stores in 16 markets across the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey, Cyprus, Russia and Poland.