“Hafr Al-Batin became our 50th store,” said Eastern Province Chief Operating Officer T.S. Vedapuri. “It was a conscious decision taken by the management to have the ease of shopping for our valued customers in their own town instead of them traveling long distances for their shopping needs.”

This brings the number of Centrepoint stores in the Eastern Province to 13. In addition, the group has more than 25 stand-alone stores in the province. The group plans to open similar stores in Arar, Rafha and Jubail.

Like other Centrepoint stores across the Kingdom, the Hafr Al-Batin store too has four major retail brands such as Babyshop, Splash, ShoeMart and Lifestyle.

“Babyshop is a retail concept store specializing in toys, fashion, clothing, nursery furniture and everything that parents look for newborn babies, toddlers and children up to 16 years,” said Vedapuri. “The chain’s internationals brands include Lee Cooper, Barbie and Disney.”

According to him, Splash is the Middle East’s largest fashion retailer. “Part of the Landmark Group, it was founded in 1993 as a single brand store in Sharjah.

Splash has grown to over 125 stores and 50 brand stores across 10 countries,” said Vedapuri. “Splash’s international portfolio comprises brands like Lee Cooper, Arrow, Bossini, Kappa and Zodiac.”

According to Vedapuri, ShoeMart has in just 16 years grown from a single outlet to one of the largest footwear and leather accessories chains in the region. The range of shoes for men, women and children include many brands such as Puma, Adidas, Lee Cooper, Paprika and Duchini.

“Centrepoint’s Lifestyle offers a wide range of exclusive products from home decor, furnishing, lighting and bath decor to cosmetics and fashion accessories,” he said.

“With all these stores, we have in a sense brought the world to Hafr Al-Batin,” said Vedapuri.