Primark pandemonium descended on City Centre Bahrain as shoppers flocked to the official grand opening of the flagship store.
It’s the much-loved Irish fashion retailer’s first store in the kingdom and its 20th international outlet.
The Bahrain offering covers 43,000 square feet of shopping space, set over two floors, and more than 320 members of staff have been recruited to serve customers.
The event was attended by Ambassador-designate of Ireland to Bahrain Micheál Smith, Majid Al Futtaim Asset Management CEO Khalifa C, and Alshaya Group CEO John Hadden.
“I’m delighted to attend the opening of the first Primark store in Bahrain, as one of my first engagements in the region,” said the delighted ambassador. “I’ve no doubt that this iconic Irish brand will continue to excite customers and I’d like to congratulate Alshaya Group on their partnership with Primark.
“Go n-éirí leat agus gach rath ort!” he added in Gaeilge, an Irish phrase meaning – ‘good luck and every success to you’.
Primark is one of the most popular shopping names in Europe and retail experts suggest it succeeds by combining extreme cost leadership, massive physical stores, and a no-online-sales model that turns budget shopping into an exciting in-person treasure hunt.
Alshaya first bought the store to Kuwait almost a year ago on its Gulf expansion and Mr Hadden said: “We’re thrilled to open our fifth store here in Bahrain as we continue our partnership with Primark to bring the much-loved brand to the region.
“The response to the store has been amazing!”
He thanked customers, the ambassador-designate and the mall’s owners Majid Al Futtaim.
The opening was boosted by Saudi National Day celebrations with scores of customers flocking across the causeway to join Bahrainis and expatriates keen to queue and enjoy the launch experience.
Mr Hadden revealed that by April next year, the company will be opening its second branch in Bahrain.
“We are going to Qatar next to open in City Centre Doha at the end of October and then we come back to Bahrain. Primark will come to the Avenues in April of next year.”
City Centre Bahrain will welcome the footfall such a big name attracts, especially as it had lost major outlets such as Debenhams and Saks Fifth Avenue is recent times.
“We are delighted to welcome Primark to Bahrain for the very first time at City Centre Bahrain, bringing one of the world’s most recognised fashion brands to our customers in the kingdom,” said Bin Braik, adding that it marked the third Primark store to launch across Majid Al Futtaim destinations in partnership with Alshaya Group, following City Centre Mirdif and Mall of the Emirates in the UAE.
Primark CEO Eoin Tonge added: “It’s fantastic to see Primark open its doors in Bahrain and reach the milestone of our 20th international market.
“We’re excited to build on the momentum we have seen in our stores in Kuwait and the UAE … and we look forward to seeing Bahraini customers experience Primark for themselves.”
&uuid=(email))