GENERAL MERCHANDISE NEWS
JD Sports has expanded into the Middle East with the opening of a new store at Bahrain’s beachfront shopping destination, Marassi Galleria Mall.
Launched under a franchise agreement with GMG, the 5,422 square foot shop will offer customers access to the latest launches from a range of global sports and footwear brands.
To celebrate the opening, JD held a ceremonial ribbon cutting followed by activities such as in-store DJ sets and appearances from key influencers and consumers in the region. Customers were also treated to gifts with purchase and footwear customisation across the Adidas and Puma brands.
Chris Rowan, JD international franchise director, said: “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 and we are delighted to be working with GMG, one of the Middle East’s most respected companies, as we continue to bring JD’s distinctive offering to more customers globally.”
JD said the partnership with GMG, which was announced in July 2023, will enable it to deliver on the rollout of its ‘JD Brand First’ strategy as it continues to expand into new markets. Under the terms of the 10-year agreement, GMG will open around 50 stores under the JD fascia by 2028 in locations in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Egypt.
