Footasylum to open 40 stores in the Gulf region in next five years

Rochdale-based footwear and sportswear retailer Footasylum has signed with Dubai-based Apparel Group as a partner across wholesale, e-commerce and franchise channels - with plans to open 40 stores in the Gulf region in the next five years.

The distribution and franchising partnership will leverage Apparel Group’s extensive regional retail network, technology and substantial customer base to accelerate Footasylum’s expansion across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, which includes the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.

David Pujolar, CEO of Footasylum, said: “This partnership with Apparel Group is a major step forward for Footasylum. In recent years, we’ve begun to build a growing international presence through wholesale and e-commerce, and this agreement significantly accelerates that momentum in the Gulf region.

“Through this collaboration, we will also be entering physical retail outside the UK for the first time, backed by a partner with unrivalled reach, deep market knowledge and strong operational excellence.

“By partnering with Apparel Group, Footasylum gains immediate access to one of the region’s largest retail networks, advanced omnichannel and marketing capabilities, and a customer base of more than 14 million loyal Club Apparel members.”

Dan Moneypenny, VP International at Footasylum, added: “This partnership will enable us to bring our distinctive streetwear and sportswear proposition to a much broader customer base across the region, and I’m confident Apparel Group is the ideal partner for this next stage of our growth. We look forward to working closely with them as we enter a new era for Footasylum.”

Headquartered in Dubai, Apparel Group operates more than 2,500 stores and manages a portfolio of over 85 international brands across 14 countries. The group’s experience in brand development, retail technology, shopfitting, and mall partnerships provides a strong foundation for Footasylum’s regional growth.

Neeraj Teckchandani, Chief Executive Officer of Apparel Group, said: “We are excited to welcome Footasylum into the Apparel Group family as we continue to diversify and strengthen our portfolio with brands that resonate with today’s connected, culturally driven consumers. Footasylum’s unique position in streetwear and youth-centric fashion aligns exceptionally well with the dynamic tastes of shoppers across the GCC.

“By combining Footasylum’s authentic brand identity with Apparel Group’s regional expertise, omnichannel infrastructure, and deep understanding of local market behaviour, we see a strong opportunity to deliver meaningful value to customers and partners alike. This partnership reflects our commitment to innovation, collaboration and long-term growth in one of the world’s most vibrant retail landscapes.”

Last month, Footasylum announced it had signed a deal with Cologne-based sales agency, Mad Agency, to drive distribution of its brands, including Alessandro, Alpyrex, Authorized, Celebre, Dripmade, Forena, Metissier, Monterrain and Zavetti Canada across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, in another move to expand into other markets outside of the UK.