Mike Ashley-owned Sports Direct is expanding its huge portfolio of stores, which already includes more than 500 in the United Kingdom, with the Fraser Group intent on taking hold of more countries
High street giants Sports Direct are looking to open a whopping 350 new branches – just not in the UK. While this country’s shopping areas are suffering loss upon loss, with big names departing left, right and centre, it seems that one of the UK’s biggest names is looking elsewhere for shoppers.
The Mike Ashley-owned brand has set about trying to expand its audience and is eyeing up new markets in south east Asia and India.
The company is looking to open new stores in India, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, as well as expanding the market it already has in Indonesia. The expansion will be done in conjunction with local company MAP Active.
Michael Murray, chief executive of Frasers Group – which owns the brand – said: “We’re excited to announce further expansion of our successful partnership with Map Active to five dynamic new markets where we see potential for long term growth.
“Building on Sports Direct’s proven sports retail proposition and Map Active’s market expertise, we look forward to growing our footprint and offering best-in-class brands to consumers in the region.”
And Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk, of MAP Active, added: “We are proud to deepen our partnership with Frasers Group, leveraging our extensive retail network and outstanding service to bring Sports Direct’s world-class offerings to customers across southern Asia.
“Our shared vision for excellence in sports retail will enable us to create immersive brand experiences, drive engagement, and set new standards for the industry in this vibrant region.”
Sports Direct actually has stores across the world already, including in Estonia, France, Belgium, Slovakia, Slovenia . . . and even Saudi Arabia, where it has four major stores.
In the UK, however, the brand currently has more than 500 stores, with a whopping 715 stores worldwide.
The entire Fraser Group portfolio has a whopping 1,500 stores altogether, including Flannels, House of Fraser, USC, GAME, Evans Cycles, Jack Wills, Gieves & Hawkes, and Everlast Gyms.
It is also rumoured to be eyeing up ASOS as it is now the fast fashion brands second-largest stakeholder, as well as Norwegian retailer XXL after bosses confirmed it had intentions of complying with an order to make a “mandatory offer” after becoming its largest shareholder recently.
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