Italian design company Kartell is moving ahead with plans to open in Riyadh, underscoring its commitment to the Middle East even as conflict weighs on the region. The move signals that the family-run brand still sees Saudi Arabia as an important market in its broader overseas expansion.
Founded in the 1960s, Kartell built its name on contemporary plastic furniture and home design with a strong visual identity. Its catalog is closely associated with well-known designers including Philippe Starck, Antonio Citterio, Piero Lissoni, Vico Magistretti and Patricia Urquiola, helping the company become a recognizable name in Italian design.
The Riyadh opening is being positioned as a major step in Kartell’s international strategy and part of a new growth phase for the business. By pressing ahead in the Saudi capital, the company is highlighting the long-term importance of physical retail and regional presence as it expands beyond its home market.
The decision also reflects continued interest from global design brands in the Gulf, where luxury, interiors and lifestyle investment remain strong. For Kartell, the Riyadh project appears to be more than a single store launch, serving instead as a meaningful milestone in its next stage of international development.
