Saudi- Mobily opens Al-Hilal merchandize store in Alkhobar 

(MENAFN - Arab News) Mobily and Al-Hilal Club took their successful co-branding relationship to the Eastern Province with the opening of a large and well-stocked merchandize store in Alkhobar.

"This is the first such store in the Eastern Province and our second in the Kingdom," Hamoud Al-Ghobaini, vice president, public relations, Mobily, said.

The first store was opened in Riyadh last year.

Al-Ghobaini said more such stores will be opened in other parts of the Kingdom. The Jeddah store will open in the next two weeks, he said.

Former Al-Hilal Club President Faisal Al-Shuhail inaugurated the Alkhobar store, located on the main Dammam-Alkhobar Highway.

A large number of Al-Hilal managers and fans and businessmen were present at the event. They included Ahmed Al-Khamis, secretary-general of Al-Hilal Club, and Abdullah Al-Hazza, president of Qadisiyah Club.

According to Al-Ghobaini, the Mobily-Al-Hilal tie-up is proving to be mutually beneficial.

"We are not looking at the profit margin. Our interest is in building up the brands ... It is all about branding," he said.

"That is one reason why we have been very careful in what we sell through this merchandize store. This store, like the one in Riyadh, is full of top-quality clothes, cosmetics and perfumes, for men, women and children ... Plus you have a wide variety to choose from," he said.

Al-Shuhail said Al-Hilal has a huge number of fans in the Eastern Province.

"This store, located as it is in a prime locality, is a big gift for our fans," he said. "It is a landmark, and you can compare it with any other international store of a similar kind."

Mobily is the official sponsor of the well-known club. "We thank Mobily for its investment in sports ... All Al-Hilal fans are proud of Mobily," said Al-Shuhail.