By Julian Whittle

Published at 11:27, Monday, 03 September 2012

SPORTSWEAR brand Puma is the latest retailer to come to Gretna Gateway Outlet Village.

Tenant: Puma, who sponsor Usain Bolt, inset, are launching at Gretna Gateway

The company plans to open a 3,000sq ft store this month, creating 10 jobs.

It will sell a mix of sports and lifestyle ranges for men, women and children, atdiscounts of up to 50 per cent on high-street prices.

Puma’s arrival at Gretna follows that of Clarks, Berghaus, Body Shop and Pagazzi Lighting earlier in the year.

They join established retailers including M&S, Nike, Gap, Cadbury and Costa Coffee.

Peter Gardner, general manager of the outletvillage, said: “Puma will be the fifth new store to open at Gretna Gateway during what has been an extremely successful year so far.

“Overall, our summer trading figures have bucked the trend at Scottish and UK levels and some of ourtenants have reportedphenomenal individual performances.

“In the current economic climate, we believe our year-round offer of quality, value and customer service from some of the world’s leading brands is exactly what increasing numbers of people are looking for.

“We are delighted to welcome Puma as part of our ever-strengthening store line-up.”

Gretna Gateway reported a phenomenal 25 per cent increase in sales for June.

That compares with the UK average increase of 3.1 per cent growth and the Scottish average of only 1.2 per cent.

July saw a 7.2 per cent rise at Gretna, compared to two per cent for the UK and a 0.7 per cent fall for Scotland.

The site benefits fromregular trading hours – 10am to 6pm daily, including Sundays and most bank holidays – and free parking.

Puma was founded in Germany in 1924 and has grown to be one of the world’s largest sportswear brands.

It has sponsored a host of famous footballers including Pelé, Eusébio, Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona and Kenny Dalglish, and currently sponsors the world’s fastest man, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk