Global Brands Group signs FIFA Official Store agreement in the Middle East

Global Brands Group, the exclusive worldwide Master Licensee of FIFA, today signed a four year deal with retail magnate Fawaz Alhokair and Company (JSC)). The company delivered a strong retail plan and pledged that in 2010 it will open 14 FIFA Official Stores in four key regions in the Middle East and North Africa: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Egypt; Lebanon, Syria and Jordan; and the GCC (United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar). In addition, a number of 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Official Event 'Shop in Shops' will be opened across the Middle East during the FIFA World Cup™ period this year.

Fawaz Alhokair and Company (JSC) is currently responsible for approximately 70 international fashion brands across the Middle East and employs over 4,000 people in this sector. The company, which turns over SAR2 billion a year, will be opening three FIFA Official Flagship Stores in 2010. Riyadh will be the first place in the world to have a FIFA Official Flagship Store and further FIFA Official Flagship Stores will follow in the Middle East and North Africa over the next four years.

These will be exceptional retail spaces, all over 1,000m² and set in prime retail locations. The FIFA Official Flagship Store retail experience aims to connect fans around the world to FIFA's rich heritage reflecting the dynamism of football since 1904. The FIFA Official Flagship Store experience promises fans an innovative and entertaining in-store football experience. The stores will stock Official FIFA Collections, event merchandise and products from FIFA Commercial Affiliates. FIFA Collections is FIFA's football lifestyle apparel and accessories range designed with a unique signature fusing football, fashion and culture.

Alongside the FIFA Official Flagship Stores, the group will open a significant number of additional stand alone stores, and these will be in the format of freestanding stores. The stand alone stores will range in size from 75m² upwards and they will be located in prime shopping malls.

Simon Hawkins, SVP & GM, FIFA & Football Business Unit, Global Brands Group, said:

"It's a very exciting time for us. Since we signed our agreement with FIFA, we have been working closely with them and are delighted to confirm Fawaz Alhokair and Company (JSC) as our partner for this phase of our retail programme roll-out. It is a testament to the power of the FIFA brand that we have signed a deal with a retail partner of such magnitude. We are confident in the Fawaz Alhokair and Company's ability to fulfil the aggressive roll-out plan the company has presented to us. This plan will guarantee that football fans in the Middle East region can continue to engage with the FIFA brand long after the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ finishes in July this year."

Thierry Weil, FIFA Director Marketing Division, said:

"We are pleased about the conclusion of the agreement between Fawaz Alhokair and Company (JSC) and Global Brands Group, which will develop the FIFA Brand retail business within the Middle East region. This assignment is important for the development of the FIFA Brand and ensures that FIFA merchandise reaches as wide an audience as possible."

The agreement with Global Brands Group is endorsed by Chairman, Dr. Fawaz A.Alhohair and the CEO of the Fawaz Alhokair and Company (JSC), Mr. Simon Marshall.

Fawaz A.Alhokair, Alhokair Group Chairman commented:

 "This agreement is an important strategic development for our group, as we seek to expand our presence in the sports sector. We are proud to host the global launch of FIFA Official Flagship Stores in our country. A separate business unit will be established within our company to ensure dedicated resource is given to our partnerhip with Global Brands Group."

Notes to Editors

About Global Brands Group

 Global Brands Group is the world's leading independent, international brand management, retail and licensing company. Global Brands Group's passion for managing brands is tied to its desire to building sustainable equity and creating new branding opportunities through geographic expansion, category extension and retail innovation. Through its international network of offices across six continents, Global Brands Group maximizes revenue potential by creating manufacturing, retail and distribution partnerships worldwide.

Global Brands Group's business is focused on product licensing, merchandising and retail development. Currently Global Brands Group's growing portfolio of intellectual properties includes brands created by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the PGA TOUR Licensed Properties, Inc. (PGA TOUR), Federation Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) AND Warner Bros. Consumer Products among others.

About FIFA 

 For more than 100 years, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, founded on 21 May 1904 in Paris and better known as FIFA, has continued to provide the essential leadership role to the international football family. FIFA is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. The eighth FIFA President, Joseph S. Blatter (Switzerland), guides the organization today.

The basis of the world's football family is formed by FIFA's members. From the founding seven, the family has today grown to 208 affiliated football associations, also organized into six confederations spanning the globe. FIFA's worldwide activities go well beyond its various competitions, such as the world's biggest single-sport event, the FIFA World Cup. In projects such as the Football for Hope movement (incl. SOS Children Villages, UNICEF and street football world) and the FIFA GOAL Programme - just to name a few of its development and charity activities - FIFA gives material, financial and promotional support to develop the game and bring joy to underprivileged worldwide.

For more information on FIFA and its competitions, especially on the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, please visit the official website at www.FIFA.com and www.FIFA.com/FIFAcollections.

About Fawaz Alhokair

 Group: In just over 20 years Fawaz Alhokair Group has transformed the retail landscape of Saudi Arabia through successfully pioneering international retail franchising. Starting with just 2 menswear stores in 1989, today the group is a well diversified corporation with core businesses in retail and real estate, as well as investment interests in many lines of emerging business.

Fawaz Alhokair Group's turnover is in excess of 3 billion SR, with over 10,000 employees and more than 20 million satisfied customers. The group being the single largest owner and operator of shopping malls in KSA and has a network of 11 operational malls in major cities across KSA.

The group's fashion division represents more than 70 international fashion brands in the Middle East with over 1200 fashion outlets.

Fawaz Alhokair Group's food division represents 15 international food brands in the Middle East with 152 food outlets.

For further information, please contact:

Orient Planet PR & Marketing Communications
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
P.O.Box: 23345
Tel: 00971 4 398 8901
Fax: 00971 4 398 8941
Email: media@orientplanet.com
Website: www.orientplanet.com

For FIFA retail enquiries:
Global Brands Group (London office)
Simon Hawkins
Tel: + 020 7808 4818
Email: Simon.hawkins@globalbrandsgroup.com