Sun & Sand Sports recently re-opened their Mall of the Emirates store, extending their #FunToTheFinish concept that sport is all about fun and not just about winning. The extension of the concept to the MOE flagship store encourages every single customer to enjoy fitness activities, not endure them – no matter their age or athletic ability.
Spanning 2296 sqm, the store is located adjacent to Ski Dubai. This iconic attraction echoes the sense of freedom offered by the Sun and Sand’s ethos of ultra-accessible fitness and fun. Customers of all athletic abilities will be able to shop for everything from running shoes to stylish athleisure– including e-kiosks and digital displays allowing customers to directly compare two different styles.
To know more about this concept and take a deep dive into the future plans we spoke to Mohamed Bodiat, Senior Vice President- Brands, GMG. Here’s an excerpt of our conversation.
What’s the expansion plan for the brand in the next 6 months?
At Sun & Sand Sports, we are excited about our upcoming expansion initiatives. Over the next six months, we plan to significantly increase our footprint within the GCC, with plans to open new stores. Additionally, our global ambitions continue to take shape, having recently entered Southeast Asia & North Africa, specifically Egypt, where we see substantial growth potential.
Parallel to our geographical expansion, we are also enhancing our in-store experience. We will be transitioning several of our stores to our innovative 3.5 concept, exemplified by our flagship location at Mall of the Emirates. This new design aims to create a more inviting and inclusive environment, encouraging our customers to embrace an active lifestyle and enjoy their shopping experience.
In terms of selecting new locations keeping the new format in mind what are they considering in terms of positioning? Is it high street or malls?
Our goal is to create accessible and welcoming spaces that build our community. In selecting new locations, we prioritize both high streets and malls, ensuring our stores are situated in areas that are convenient and inviting for all our customers. This strategic positioning allows us to effectively serve diverse communities and enhance the overall shopping experience, aligning with our commitment to inclusivity and community engagement.
Does gamification and the interactive format increase purchases?
At the heart of Sun & Sand Sports’ mission is the belief that sport has the power to bring people together. Gamification acts as a catalyst to that belief, resulting in captured shopper attention, increased product interactivity, and ultimately higher in-store dwell time. Since our community welcomes people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels, our interactive formats around the 3.5 concept store aim to spread happiness and positivity by encouraging everyone to play, enhancing their overall shopping experience.
Watsons to open 20 new stores in the GCC
In 2020, global health & beauty retailer AS Watson Group signed its
April 29, 2024 | By Rupkatha B / 
The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) in cooperation with Lulu
What does it take to sustain profitable growth in the post-IPO phase?
Mahalle began its operations in 2022 as an “Authentic Turkish Grocery in
“Retail is a people’s business. When building a retail brand or the
From being one of the first retailers in Dubai to ban single-use
For starters, Rabbit is a growing e-commerce grocery platform in Egypt always
In 2024 grocery retail major Choithrams has achieved several milestones underscoring its
Industry pioneers are embracing a comprehensive strategy that integrates consumer insights, digital
The regional grocery retail market is evolving fast keeping pace with constantly
From ethical and local sourcing to adopting cutting-edge technologies to curb food
/ 
Regional eyewear retailer, eyewa has raised $100 million in its series C
Born in Senegal and raised in Lebanon, Leïa Khalaf’s journey to becoming
Softlogic Holdings PLC, one of Sri Lanka’s largest conglomerates, has a diverse
During her SOLOx session at the IMAGES RetailME Awards 2024, Mrunal Khimji,
Following the successful launch of its flagship store in City Centre Deira,
In what comes as a significant announcement, Middle East based eyewear majors
Abu Dhabi based retail company LIWA Trading Enterprises, a subsidiary of Al
Aligned with the principles of ‘slow fashion’ UAE-based homegrown brand Ryokō Bags
From designing collections to creating campaigns, from analysing user preferences and purchase
Primark, known for its affordable fashion, has experienced significant global expansion since
For off-price retailer Brands For Less (BFL) Group, change management acts as
Previous Article
