San Francisco-based home furnishings and kitchen equipment retailer Williams-Sonoma has signed a franchise agreement with MH Alshaya Co covering the Middle East region. The partnership is expected to open its first four stores under the Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids banners in Dubai and Kuwait next year.

The move marks the group’s first foray outside North America. The company currently operates more than 600 stores in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico.