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 $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 center 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 said. 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, 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. In addition, an upbeat Fairall revealed that launch events are being finalized for both stores and spoke of the bright future ahead for Al Mana Group's Sports Division and for GO Sport. With UAE set to host the 2019 Asian Games and the popularity of annual sports events like the 2015 Dubai Marathon reaching tens of thousands each year, he said he expected the new stores to contribute significantly to annual turnover. — SG
