Online football kit and equipment giant PRO:DIRECT Soccer is to open open PD:FC, its new global flagship Football Performance & Culture store, in Manchester Arndale – the first of its kind anywhere in the world.
Manchester has been selected due to its “deep chemistry and heritage in football, music and fashion making it a natural destination to debut this exciting new concept.”
Located in the city centre Arndale, the PD:FC store will set a new benchmark retail experience for the people of Manchester, uniquely showcasing how football innovation, performance and culture collide and hopes to become a new hub for the Greater Manchester football community – uniting players, coaches, fans, culture-inspired creatives, and young talent in and around the game into one shared ecosystem.
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PRO:DIRECT intends to put Manchester on its own global stage, showcasing the city’s passion and creativity to their 8m+ Subscribers, fans and followers, giving the Manchester community the ability to tell its own story to the world.
Sam Baldock, chief of brand at PRO:DIRECT Sport, said: “Manchester is the beating heart of football culture – a city where the game’s history, passion, and future collide. Launching our new PD:FC concept here is about more than opening a store; it’s about creating a space that lives and breathes football and its culture. A place where players and fans can connect with the very best the sport has to offer. This is our home for the football inspired community in the Manchester area – from the streets to the stadiums – and we can’t wait to welcome everyone through the doors.”
Graeme Jones, executive director for Asset Management at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, said: “We’re excited to welcome PRO:DIRECT Sport to Manchester Arndale’s lineup, reinforcing our position as a top choice destination for e-commerce brands seeking to expand into physical retail. With Manchester’s reputation as the UK’s leading sporting city, Manchester Arndale is the perfect place for PRO:DIRECT Sport’s first physical store. Their arrival is testament to our consistent strong performance and ability to attract shoppers across Manchester and beyond.”
PD:FC joins a healthy list of recent high-profile openings at Manchester Arndale and the adjacent New Cathedral Street, including SpaceNK, Sephora, Arc’teryx, Alo Yoga, Trailberg, and Represent.
