DSW opens first Saudi Arabia store

By

Cassidy Mantor

Published
Sep 14, 2017

Ohio-based DSW is continuing its Middle Eastern expansion and has opened a store in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The new location at the Mall of Dhahran follows DSW's first Middle Eastern opening in Oman this June.

DSW is expanding heavily in the Middle East through a franchise partnership with Dubai-based Apparel Group. Apparel Group has announced plans to open as many as 40 DSW locations in the Middle East over the next five years.

Simon Nankervis, Chief Commercial Officer for DSW Inc said the new store offers the same broad assortment as the North America locations, while taking up half the footprint at 15,000 square feet. The store will carry men's, women's and children's categories. Brands carried include Nike, Toms, Adidas and Birkenstock.

Nankervis said that Saudi consumers will have "the same experience they would expect to receive in the USA" but in a smaller space than the large format stores in North America. He also said the companies are planning on using the new Saudi Arabian location as a "potential fulfillment center for future digital initiatives."

DSW operates 1,000 warehouse style retail stores across North America. The Oman and Saudi Arabian stores are currently the only two DSW locations outside of North America.