Crate and Barrel announced today that it has entered into a franchise agreement with franchise specialist Al Tayer Group LLC to open stores in the Middle East in 2010. Initial plans call for Crate and Barrel stores in Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates and Mirdif City Centre. The stores will be managed and operated by Al Tayer Trends, Al Tayer Group’s lifestyle retail company.

Barbara Turf, CEO of Crate and Barrel, said, “Dubai represents an excellent growth opportunity and launching pad to extend our brand internationally. It is a robust retail market, with many similarities to U.S. retail—state-of-the-art shopping malls, high-profile global brands and a diverse and sophisticated customer base. We are fortunate in our franchise partner, Al Tayer Group, who brings tremendous operational expertise and resources to our collaboration.”

Khalid Al Tayer, COO, Al Tayer Group, said, “We are pleased to bring the Crate and Barrel franchise to the region and are confident that the brand’s unique product mix, coupled with our regional retail expertise, will create a successful value proposition for customers.”