Fifa kicks off global retail rollout with Singapore opening

LONDON - World football body Fifa is planning to open a store in London after officially opening its first store at Singapore's Changi Airport today.

Fifa's retail venture is a partnership with its worldwide exclusive licensing representative and store operator Global Brands Group, agreed to run until 2014. The stores will sell Fifa-branded apparel, World Cup merchandise and Adidas lines.

Gary Schoenfield, president and co-CEO of Global Brands Group, said further stores would be opened in London, Tokyo and Los Angeles as well as Latin America, China and India. Stores will also open in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup.

In addition, Fifa.com will be e-commerce enabled by the autumn.

Schoenfield said: "As Fifa's first permanent retail location, the Fifa Official Store represents an important milestone towards further connecting fans around the world to Fifa's rich heritage dating back to 1904, as well as the excitement and anticipation of future events including South Africa 2010."

Global Brands has other manufacturing, retail and distribution partnerships with brands including Walt Disney, the PGA Tour and Warner Bros.