JD Sports opens in Bahrain marking its Middle East debut
JD Sports, the British sports fashion giant, has entered the Middle East retail market with a standout store in Bahrain's Marassi Galleria Mall.
The 5,422 sq ft store at the beachfront shopping destination has been opened in partnership with retail partner in the region, GMG, and is the first in a planned 50 stores across the Middle East.
It offers the same elevated retail experience as JD Sports' other flagship stores and brings the latest launches from the world's best known brands to the local market.
To commemorate the opening a ribbon cutting ceremony was carried out while DJs and prominent local influencers and customers made an appearance. Free gifts and footwear customisation across adidas and Puma were also offered to shoppers. Bahraini rapper Flipperachi ft. DJ Outlaw, in collaboration with New Balance, also made a guest appearance.
“We are very excited to see our first store in the region come to life and look forward to welcoming our new customers. This is a further milestone in our international expansion strategy andwe are delighted to be working withGMG, one of the Middle East’s most respected companies, as we continue to bring JD’s distinctive offering to more customers globally,” said JD International Franchise Director Chris Rowan.
GMG President – Sports, Carl Masterman, added: "We at GMG are thrilled to celebrate the historic occasion of welcoming JD in the region. We have collectively witnessed the buzz and demand that JD, The King of Trainers has generated, inspiring the emerging generation of globally minded consumers through the universal culture of sport, music and fashion. The brand's arrival promises an exhilarating journey ahead; one where quality, innovation and passion for an exemplary shopping experience converge to redefine the athleisure and sports fashion space.”
JD Sports has signed a 10-year deal with GMG with ambitions to open around 50 stores under the JD fascia by 2028. Key target markets include United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Egypt. The rollout of the retailer's ‘JD Brand First’ strategy and it has been described as "a pivotal move" in the continued expansion into new markets.
