Intersport opens in Dammam’s Othaim Mall

Intersport, a retail brand of UAE-based Al-Futtaim group, has opened its second Saudi store at Dammam’s Othaim Mall.

The opening of Intersport’s first outlet in the Saudi Arabia’s eastern province follows the opening of its inaugural Saudi store in Jeddah two months ago. The new store in Dammam is designed to focus on the layout of products by sport so that all items can conveniently be found together, while catering to all levels from beginner to athletes.

“The key factors driving our arrival and growth plans in Saudi Arabia include the rising population of 30 million people and the value of its retail sector, which is estimated to be worth $70 billion by the end of 2014. According to a recent report published by Century21 Saudi Arabia, as nearly 60% of the population are youths and with retail accounting for 17% of the Kingdom’s GDP, this is a robust and healthy market that we can’t afford to be absent from,” said Mohsen Saroufim, retail operations manager, Intersport.

“Dammam will be the precursor of the brand’s arrival in the Kingdom’s capital city, as Riyadh will become the third city to welcome Intersport. Intersport’s expansion in Saudi Arabia is well timed to coincide with the buildup to the 2014 FIFA World Cup, as the football-crazed nation gears up for an exciting footballing fest next summer, adds Saroufim.