JD Sports has marked its entry into the Middle East with the inauguration of a new store located at Bahrain’s Marassi Galleria Mall, a beachfront shopping destination. Operated under a franchise agreement with GMG, the 504 square meter establishment will offer customers access to the latest releases from a diverse array of global sports and footwear brands.
To commemorate the store’s opening, JD Sports hosted a ceremonial ribbon-cutting event, followed by a series of activities including in-store DJ sets and appearances by key influencers and consumers from the region. Chris Rowan, JD’s International Franchise Director, expressed his enthusiasm, stating: “We are thrilled to witness the launch of our inaugural store in the region and eagerly anticipate welcoming our new patrons. This represents another significant milestone in our global expansion strategy, and we are proud to collaborate with GMG, one of the most esteemed companies in the Middle East, as we continue to introduce JD’s distinctive offerings to diverse markets worldwide.”
JD Sports emphasized that its partnership with GMG, disclosed in July 2023, positions it favorably to execute its ‘JD Brand First’ strategy and pursue further expansion into new territories. As per the terms of the 10-year agreement, GMG is slated to inaugurate approximately 50 JD-branded stores by 2028 across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Egypt.
