• Megastore in Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates expected to be the largest GO Sport store in the world
• Al Mana Group to open first store in Saudi Arabia after securing exclusive license for GO Sport
• New stores expected to contribute ‘significantly’ to annual turnover for GO Sport in the GCC
30 August, Dubai –
Al Mana Group, one of the largest and most diversified business groups
in the GCC, has announced plans for two exciting new GO Sport stores in
the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
With
the GCC retail industry expected to grow by 7.3 percent CAGR between
2013 and 2018, to US$284.5 billion, the new stores will seek to leverage
on GO Sport’s longstanding popularity ratings in order to grow its
share of the sporting goods segment in the region, according to a top
official at the GO Sport franchisee.
“GO
Sport has performed very well in the GCC and we are delighted to be
opening our largest store in the region in Dubai. The GO Sport store in
Saudi Arabia is also a first for Al Mana Group. In securing prime retail
locations in both countries we plan to continue fuelling the region’s
passion for sport while tapping into key growth markets,” said Andrew
Fairall, General Manager of Al Mana Fashion Group's Sports Division.
The
first of the popular multi-brand sports company’s new stores will be
located on the new third floor at Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates, and is
expected to be the largest GO Sport store in the world when it opens
later this year. The other store in Mall of Dhahran, Dammam will open in
less than a month and will be the first in Saudi Arabia since Al Mana
Group secured the license to operate GO Sport in the Kingdom, in 2014.
“We
are still waiting to find out if GO Sport Mall of the Emirates will be
the largest GO Sport store globally, but it will certainly be the
biggest in the GCC. With Dubai’s growing reputation as a regional
tourism hub and a centre for both sports and adventure, we see it is a
perfect match. Saudi Arabia’s passion for sport is also clear. Our aim
is to captivate that passion among both amateurs and professionals,”
Fairall explained.
The
new stores will offer unprecedented levels of sporting goods in their
respective markets. This includes a large number of high-quality
apparel, footwear, equipment, and accessories that have helped position
GO Sport as the first choice for sporting enthusiasts in the region.
However, Mr. Fairall said that products sold will be tailored to ensure
they are in line with demand and maintain the cultural integrity of
local consumers.
“Al
Mana Group has ambitious plans for GO Sport but we are equally keen to
ensure that in our pursuit of business opportunities we do not
compromise our integrity, or that of our consumers. That is why we have
gone to great lengths to ensure our operations, our stores, products,
and services, are in keeping with local customs and traditions. We have
hand-picked experienced teams for both of the new stores,” Fairall
said.
