Latest news with #StuartHenwood
Trade Arabia
6 days ago
- Business
- Trade Arabia
New Balance opens its first retail concept in Manama
New Balance has announced the opening of its first retail location at The Avenues mall in Manama, Bahrain. The fresh retail concept is built to put people, not products, at the centre of consumer experience. Designed around central seating gestures, the store aims to encourage customers to convene, draw inspiration from each other, and find their authentic style. The concept will include an edited assortment of merchandise as well as visual storytelling to accompany select products, highlighting the makers and origins behind them, illuminating New Balance at the intersection of sport and culture. The selection of footwear and apparel will be curated so both an elite athlete and a fashion influencer can each envision their next great moment, side by side. 'Bahrain is an exciting and important market for New Balance as we continue to grow our presence across the Middle East, North Africa and India regions. Entering a new market is a reflection of the brand's commitment to making premium performance and lifestyle products more accessible to our communities across the region. We see incredible passion for sport and self-expression in Manama, and we're proud to create a space that not only brings our innovative product offering to the region, but also inspires movement, creativity, and individuality in every customer who walks through our doors.' said Stuart Henwood, Senior Director – Middle East, Africa and India at New Balance.
Gulf Business
27-02-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
New Balance's Stuart Henwood on growth, innovation and fitness fashion
Image: Supplied In this interview with Gulf Business, Stuart Henwood, senior director of New Balance in the Middle East, Africa, and India (MEAI), discusses the brand's impressive $7.8bn growth in 2024, its focus on blending heritage with innovation, and its evolving retail strategy in the region. Henwood also shares insights into New Balance's commitment to community-building, its impact on fashion trends, and the company's plans for continued expansion in the next five years. New Balance saw $7.8bn in global growth in 2024. Beyond the numbers, what's driving this incredible momentum? At New Balance, our growth reflects our commitment to blending heritage with innovation since our onset in 1906. We've stayed true to our roots in craftsmanship while pushing boundaries in performance technology and style. Collaborations with cultural icons, athletes, and designers have allowed us to stay relevant across diverse markets. For instance, partnerships like the one with British rapper Action Bronson and our exclusive sneaker drops with Sun and Sand Sports here in the region for example, have helped keep us relevant and exciting in diverse markets. Beyond products and partnerships, a key driver of our momentum is the vibrant communities we've cultivated through initiatives like the New Balance Run Club (NBRC) under our Run Your Way campaigns. Across the region and globally, our run clubs are offering spaces where people connect over shared goals of fitness, wellness, and personal growth. This strong community engagement, combined with our focus on authenticity and quality, continues to position New Balance as a leader in the industry. From the streets to the runways, 'Dad shoes' have become a style staple. How did New Balance find itself at the heart of this trend? The 'Dad shoe' trend is indicative of how timeless design and comfort can intersect with modern fashion. New Balance has always prioritised functionality and comfort — traits that have become stylish in their own right. The 990 series, originally launched in the 1980s, was designed as a premium running shoe, but its understated design and quality craftsmanship made it a staple beyond athletic circles. Fast forward to today, and you see those same models on fashion runways and in streetwear, embraced by a new generation that values authenticity and heritage. We've leaned into this, collaborating with fashion-forward influencers and brands while staying true to our New Balance DNA. With seven new stores opened in just 24 months — including the Dubai Mall flagship — what's the vision behind New Balance's retail experience in the region? Our retail expansion in the Middle East, particularly with our flagship in Dubai Mall, reflects our ambition to create immersive brand experiences. Each store, especially our latest retail concept, Uncommon Common concept (UCC), is designed to not just highlight our products but to tell our story — from our Boston roots to our global presence while highlighting the makers and origins of each. We want customers to feel the craftsmanship, innovation, and cultural relevance of New Balance the moment they walk in. The MEAI with its diverse, trend-conscious consumer base, is the perfect backdrop for this vision coupled with the regional investment in sport, and New Balance will continue to expand to reach and engage with our consumers. New Balance has opened a new store in Nakheel Mall in February. Image: New Balance As fitness becomes a lifestyle for many, how is New Balance redefining the intersection of sport, wellness, and fashion? Anyone would agree that fitness today isn't confined to gyms or tracks. It's now become a lifestyle that influences how people dress and live. At New Balance, we're committed to designing products that perform on the track but transition seamlessly into everyday life. Our apparel and footwear This philosophy is at the heart of our Run Your Way ethos, which embraces the idea that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to fitness. Whether you're chasing personal bests, running for mental clarity, or simply enjoying an active lifestyle, Run Your Way encourages individuals to define what movement means to them. With the brand eyeing $10bn in revenue, what's next? Where do you see New Balance evolving in the next five years? Reaching $10bn is a financial milestone but it's not only about the numbers, it's about scaling our impact while staying true to who we are and building a sustainable model across multiple platforms and categories. Over the next five years, we'll continue to invest in innovation and community engagement while growing our product ranges. Expanding our owned doors in key markets like the Middle East is a big part of this journey – alongside franchise doors across the MEAI region including Saudi, Kuwait, Qatar, India, Egypt and our latest market entry in Morocco. We're also committed to deepening our relationships with local communities through partnerships and initiatives that reflect the unique cultural landscapes we operate in. Our recent five-year partnership extension with Al Sadd SC and our collaboration with Ooredoo for the Doha Marathon, are just a few examples of how we're strengthening ties across the region. Ultimately, we want Image: New Balance Having been around for over 100 years, how does New Balance continue to stay relevant — especially with younger, trend-conscious audiences? Staying relevant for over a century comes down to a balance of honouring tradition while embracing change. A brand with heritage as opposed to a heritage brand. New Balance has always championed individuality and authenticity, values that resonate deeply with younger audiences today. We also invest heavily in digital engagement, meeting our audiences where they are — whether that's on social platforms or the e-commerce website. At the end of the day, our commitment to quality, innovation, and community ensures that we're not just keeping up with trends but often setting them. Younger generations are looking for authenticity, they are looking for brands they can connect with on a deeper level and not just a product, and as an independent corporation, whose purpose is to create positive change in communities around the world through sports in craftmanship, we can offer much more than just a product or a trend, but also true connection.
Mid East Info
26-02-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
New Balance expands UAE footprint with new store at Nakheel Mall, Palm Jumeirah - Middle East Business News and Information
New Balance, the brand synonymous with running excellence, announced the opening of its ninth store in the UAE, marking another significant milestone in its expansion across the region. Strategically positioned in one of Dubai's premier shopping destinations, the new store at Nakheel Mall, Palm Jumeirah offers an immersive retail experience that caters to the city's thriving community of athletes, sneaker enthusiasts, and fashion-conscious consumers. As New Balance continues its expansion within the MENA region, the brand is now coming closer to several more communities within the UAE and beyond. Located at the heart of Palm Jumeirah, Nakheel Mall is a luxury lifestyle destination that brings together a range of high-end fashion, retail, and dining experiences. The launch of the latest New Balance store is a natural fit, adding to the sophisticated retail mix and world-class offerings, the mall has to offer. The store will feature a curated selection of New Balance's top performance and lifestyle collections, including running shoes, training footwear, and athleisure apparel. Designed for both athletes and everyday consumers, the space brings together innovation, comfort, and style, allowing customers to experience the brand's latest offerings firsthand. Stuart Henwood, Senior Director for New Balance MEAI said: 'The store opening at Nakheel Mall marks another important step in our regional expansion. As one of the fastest-growing brands globally, with a CAGR of over 30% in the past three years and a record-breaking USD 7.8 billion in revenue in 2024, New Balance continues to build momentum toward our $10 billion goal and beyond. Our growth is fuelled by a direct-to-consumer mindset, strong partnerships, and a focus on the intersection of sport and culture. With Nakheel Mall being one of Dubai's most prominent shopping destinations, it is the perfect location to contribute to the vision we have for New Balance.' With several new store openings planned across the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and the UAE, New Balance remains committed to enhancing its presence and accessibility throughout the region.
