The Athlete's Foot has formalized an agreement with Apparel LLC of Dubai, United Arab Emirates to become The Athlete's Foot's master franchisee for the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman. It projects a minimum of 15 store openings in the region. The first store is expected to open this month in Dubai.
The Athlete's Foot's expansion into these areas is in keeping with its strategic plan for aggressive franchise growth throughout the Middle East and in other international markets. The company currently operates
five stores in Kuwait. In 2003, The Athlete's Foot opened 100 stores globally.
“We are very pleased to expand our global presence by entering this region with such a capable and experienced partner, Apparel LLC,” said Robert J. Corliss, president and CEO of The Athlete's Foot Group, Inc. “Our successful experience with our partner in Kuwait clearly indicates that the Middle East is a viable and sustainable market with unlimited potential and a key growth area for The Athlete's Foot concept,” Corliss adds.
Apparel LLC, a leading fashion and footwear retailer in the Gulf region, is an associate company of the Lal's Group of companies involved in operating department stores, wholesale and retail operations, and manufacturing. Apparel LLC is a retailer for various well-known brands including Nine West premium ladies footwear and accessories, and high-end women's fashion brands including Mango, Jennyfer, and Alain Monoukian. The
Athlete's Foot's multi-brand specialty athletic footwear retail concept will complement the retail operations of Apparel LLC to provide a dynamic shopping experience to both the fashion and technical sports-minded consumer.
According to Mr. Nilesh Ved, CEO of Apparel LLC, “We feel that this market lacks the presence of an innovative and active lifestyle retail concept like The Athlete's Foot. The Middle East athletic footwear market, supported by growing economies and development of sports culture, and
participation of this region in various international sporting events,promises a great opportunity for the The Athlete's Foot concept. Apparel's association with the world's leader in athletic footwear franchising is a
commitment to provide a distinctive shopping environment and valuable customer service to the Middle East's fashionable and sports savvy customers.”
In addition to the Middle East, The Athlete's Foot is heavily pursuing expansion opportunities throughout Europe. The company recently signed 10-year franchise agreements with Greece and the United Kingdom and is in
search of franchise partners for the countries of Germany, Ireland, Italy, Scandinavia, the Benelux countries, Russia, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.
