Rochdale-based footwear and sportswear retailer Footasylum has signed a major international expansion deal with global fashion and lifestyle retail group Apparel Group, marking its first move into physical retail outside the UK.
Under the strategic partnership, Footasylum will work with Dubai-headquartered Apparel Group across wholesale, ecommerce and franchise channels to accelerate its expansion across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Plans include opening 40 Footasylum stores over the next five years across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.
READ MORE: Yorkshire visionary who reshaped rock, royalty and British style dies aged 80
The agreement gives Footasylum immediate access to one of the Middle East’s largest retail networks, alongside Apparel Group’s omnichannel infrastructure and a customer base of more than 12 million Club Apparel members.
Apparel Group operates more than 2,500 stores across 14 countries and manages a portfolio of over 85 international brands. Its capabilities span brand development, retail technology, shopfitting and partnerships with major shopping malls across the region.
David Pujolar, CEO of Footasylum, said: “This partnership with Apparel Group is a major step forward for Footasylum. In recent years, we’ve begun to build a growing international presence through wholesale and ecommerce, and this agreement significantly accelerates that momentum in the Gulf region. Through this collaboration, we will also be entering physical retail outside the UK for the first time, backed by a partner with unrivalled reach, deep market knowledge and strong operational excellence. By partnering with Apparel Group, Footasylum gains immediate access to one of the region’s largest retail networks, advanced omnichannel and marketing capabilities, and a customer base of more than 14 million loyal Club Apparel members.”
READ MORE: Journey Further lands Trade Direct Insurance digital overhaul brief
Dan Moneypenny, VP International at Footasylum, added: “This partnership will enable us to bring our distinctive streetwear and sportswear proposition to a much broader customer base across the region, and I’m confident Apparel Group is the ideal partner for this next stage of our growth. We look forward to working closely with them as we enter a new era for Footasylum.”
Neeraj Teckchandani, Chief Executive Officer of Apparel Group, said the deal aligns with its strategy to expand its brand portfolio across the GCC.
“We are excited to welcome Footasylum into the Apparel Group family as we continue to diversify and strengthen our portfolio with brands that resonate with today’s connected, culturally-driven consumers,” he said. “Footasylum’s unique position in streetwear and youth-centric fashion aligns exceptionally well with the dynamic tastes of shoppers across the GCC. By combining Footasylum’s authentic brand identity with Apparel Group’s regional expertise, omnichannel infrastructure, and deep understanding of local market behaviour, we see a strong opportunity to deliver meaningful value to customers and partners alike. This partnership reflects our commitment to innovation, collaboration and long-term growth in one of the world’s most vibrant retail landscapes.”
The move represents a significant milestone for Footasylum as it accelerates its international growth strategy beyond the UK market.
