Оne of the biggest fashion retailers in Bulgaria
Starting as a wholesale distributor on the Bulgarian market, the company has developed its own exclusive chains of retail stores, complying with the highest retail standards. GBD has grown dramatically since its inception in 1992. Currently, the company operates more than 40 retail stores around the country. GBD is the exclusive distributor for Bulgaria of world known brands such as Philipp Plein, Billionaire, Polo Ralph Lauren, Emporio Armani, Lacoste, Guess, Liu Jo, GAS, Pepe Jeans, as well as Bally, Church’s, Michael Kors, Trussardi Jeans, Yamamay, Desigual и Superdry. After more than 20 years of experience the company has developed a strong competitive advantage with strong positions on the Bulgarian market, making GBD a desirable business partner.
Mission & vission
The mission of Global Brands Distribution is to provide its customers with a modern lifestyle and ultimate shopping experience. With energy and enthusiasm we offer a variety of high quality products and services to our customers via own exclusive points of sale. We believe that each product must be positioned in the right environment and in the most sophisticated manner. Through our innovative retail methods, creativity and special attention to detail we add additional value to our products and generate long-term profitable growth for the company.
In GBD we strongly believe in gaining the trust and respect of all our stakeholders. We aim to create a supporting and motivating environment for all our members. We pay special attention to our employees’ needs and believe that a positive working environment increases the company’s sustainability. Through their talents and passion we earn the customers long-term loyalty.
With our business partners, we seek to build a strong and honest relationship. We have long-term successful partnership with a number of world known companies based on mutual trust and respect.
Team
We work with energy, enthusiasm and endeavor to offer modern and attractive products to our customers via our own exclusive points of sale or through a focused selection of multi-brand chains. We believe that this can only be ensured by a coordinated, dynamic and ambitious team looking at the future with determination, intuition and entrepreneurial instinct.
Discover our history
1992
Nival Ltd (which later became a daughter company of Sport International) was founded. Later that year, the first privately owned chain of fashion stores was founded.
1995
Sport International Ltd (SI) was founded with the intention of becoming the leading distributor of world famous brands on the Bulgarian market.
1999
The distribution agreement with the leading company in swimwear and swim-related accessories Speedo took place.
2000
Through the opening of the first franchise Playlife store in Bulgaria, the company added to its portfolio the renowned Playlife clothing line, owned by the fashion giant Benetton. Due to its great success, the number of Playlife stores grew rapidly in the following years. Sport International implemented successfully Converse on the Bulgarian market. The brand known for its creative and rebellious spirit turned it into the fastest growing brand in the sport lifestyle segment. Unfortunately, after a few years the distribution contract was suspended due to Nike’s purchase of Converse and redirection of the distribution.
2001
Sport International took the rights for the distribution of Diesel Footwear & Handbags in Bulgaria and Romania. On a worldwide scale Diesel is a leading pioneer in denim and casual fashion. Sport International succeeded in reflecting this already established image in the Bulgarian context and transformed the brand into one of the most desirable and recognizable on the local market.
2006
Sport International continued its retail expansion. Scandal, the first multi-brand store operated by Sport International, was opened. Later that year, the company opened four new stores in the first shopping mall in Bulgaria - Mall of Sofia. Another fashion leader in the face of Guess, became a part of the company's portfolio. While Guess expanded the range of elegant and smart apparel, the spectrum of brands which focus more on the urban culture and casual apparel was also expanded with the brand 55DSL. The two newly acquired brands serve as an additional testimony of the diverse brand range of Sport International.
2007
Merrell, a brand of the shoe industry giant Wolverine World Wide, joined the company. It did not take a lot of time until the brand's high-perfomance footwear were appraised by the clients who were looking for quality and great attention to detail.
2008
– First Guess By Marciano mono-brand store opened at a top downtown location. Due to the strong interest in Guess apparel, Sport International also took the distribution rights for Guess Handbags and Guess Footwear.
2009
Lacoste Footwear entered the Bulgarian market via Sport International’s distribution contract. The brand achieved tremendous success and now is distributed in more than 30 multi-brand stores throughout the country.
2010
Key year for the company’s retail expansion. For a couple of months, 15 new stores were opened in 4 new shopping centers. The success of Guess is again proven by the opening of three new monobrand stores: Guess Jeans,Guess Accessories and Guess Kids mono-brand stores. The next period of Sport International’s expansion is marked by the signing of the contract with Liu Jo, which apart from the main clothing line, also included the distribution of the line Liu Jeans and the accessories & footwear. Firetrap, the brand famous for its connection to the subcultures and underground scenes of London, joined the company's portfolio and brought a new fashion perspective, unconventional and fresh.Global Brands Distribution Ltd, the other daughter company of Sport International, was established. The company's main activities are predominantly retail operations.
2011
Through the newly established partnership with CAT Footwear, the company started to offer industrial footwear designs that encompass a wide spectrum of work boots and other shoes that are suitable for a variety of work environments and provide comfort for every situation.
2012
Signing of the contract with the brand known for being an international symbol of prestige and style - Emporio Armani, resulted in the opening of the first Emporio Armani monobrand store in Sofia. Later in the year, the company opened the store Gentleman, offering Bally, Church's and Tricker's - three of the most emblematic brands on a worldwide scale, specialized in luxury footwear and accessories. The success of the Scandal stores resulted in the opening of another store from the retail chain, located in Bulgaria Mall. Its popularity has brought attention to the fashion brands Fornarina and Liu Jo and because of this growing interest in them, the first Bulgarian monobrand stores of Fornarina and Liu Jo were opened.
2013
The company continued to expand by opening a Guess Jeans store in Bulgaria Mall. The store's launch was celebrated by a stylish event, entirely in the spirit of the brand. Soon after, one more retail point was opened. The new Playlife store presented the most recent retail concept of the brand which immediately enjoyed a great interest due to its fresh and original interior. At end of the year the company whad the gratification to open its 3 new monobrand stores GAS, Pepe Jeans and Desigual, located at Bulgaria Mall.
2014
Opening in downtown’s upscale shopping street of the monobrand store of Polo Ralph Lauren. Second half of the year is very successful for the company. Several new stores have been opened in Sofia, Varna and Burgas. During Fall, the comapny opens its first multibrand store Scandal Kids, specially designed for kids who love and value fashion, offering Diesel Kids, Pepe Jeans, Guess Kids, Lacoste and CAT as brands. The successful turn over of the brand Desigual on the Bulgarian market leads to two new store openings in Sofia each with its own design and concept - one in Serdika Center, and one in the newly established Ring Mall. For the very fisrt time the brand Liu Jo enters the Varna market with a monobrand store. The Italian lingerie brand Yamamay becomes a part of the brand’s portfolio of the company and is followed by opening of a monobrand store in Ring Mall, Sofia. The end of the year is marked by the opening of a unique for Bulgaria concept incorporating an exclusive Scandal store with a modern style, providing customers the ultimate shopping experience.
2015
Global Brands Distribution ads three new brands to the portfolio – the global luxury lifestyle brand Michael Kors with its distinctive designs, materials and craftsmanship, and Trussardi Jeans - dedicated to the needs of metropolitan living and meant for leisure time. The last quarter of the year is celebrated with the opening of the first Bulgarian monobrand store Philipp Plein, which is situated at iconic Saborna street.
Structure
Brands
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GBD is the exclusive distributor for Bulgaria of world known brands such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Emporio Armani, Guess, Liu Jo, Pepe Jeans, as well as Church’s, Bally, Yamamay, Desigual, Versace Jeans Couture, Salsa Jeans, Diadora, Fila, Blugirl, Boss. GBD’s stores are located in the four biggest cities in Bulgaria – Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Burgas. Our extended experience on the Bulgarian market enables us choose the best commercial areas around the country. Throughout a careful analysis, we select each store location with regards to the brands’ requirements and unique characteristics. |
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