Leading footwear and sportswear retailer Footasylum has opened a new store in Merthyr Tydfil as part of its ongoing expansion plans. The new outlet, located at Cyfarthfa Shopping Park, has created 25 jobs for the local community.
Store Details and Expansion
The retailer, which targets a key demographic of youngsters aged 16 to 24, has leased a 4,000 square foot unit at the shopping park. This store is the Rochdale-headquartered company's fourth in Wales, joining existing locations in Wrexham, Newport, and Cardiff.
The opening is part of Footasylum's broader expansion strategy, which focuses on prominent, high-footfall retail destinations. Recent openings include stores at Manchester's Arndale Shopping Centre, Glasgow's Silverburn Shopping Centre, and Darlington's Cornmill Centre.
Funding and Partnerships
Footasylum's store rollout programme is supported by a new funding deal with HSBC, which will also enable the company to increase its warehousing capacity. Additionally, the retailer has entered into a strategic partnership with Trapstar, the British streetwear brand.
Hannah Mercer was recently appointed as the retailer's chief executive, as the company also focuses on international expansion in Central Europe and the Gulf states.
Local Impact
Shannon Osman, retail director at Footasylum, said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring Footasylum to Merthyr Tydfil for the first time, expanding our reach and creating 25 local jobs. Cyfarthfa Shopping Park provides a great platform for us to connect with both new and existing customers while showcasing the mix of exclusive and third-party brands we are known for. We look forward to becoming part of the local retail community and welcoming customers through the doors of this fantastic new store.”
The retailer sells a mix of footwear, apparel, and accessories through its stores, websites, and wholesale channel. Footasylum, which employs around 2,500 staff across the UK, was acquired by private equity firm Aurelius in 2022.
