Pro:Direct Sport has unveiled its first PD:FC concept store in Manchester, introducing a new flagship format for the football specialist and marking what it describes as a world-first for the business.
Located on New Cathedral Street within Manchester Arndale, the two-floor, 9,180 sq ft store has been conceived as an immersive environment that translates the retailer’s digital heritage into a physical setting. The format is designed to bridge stadium performance and street culture, positioning the space as both a technical retail destination and a cultural hub.
A Concept Rooted In Football Culture
Manchester was selected as the launch city in recognition of its established links with football, music and fashion. The business states that the concept aims to complement the city’s longstanding association with the game while introducing a new benchmark retail experience.
The PD:FC format builds on Pro:Direct Soccer’s original tagline, ‘The Professionals Choice’, which the company describes as the foundation for the concept. The store is intended to serve performance-focused players alongside consumers engaged with football culture and lifestyle.
Inside, the environment combines performance products with curated lifestyle brands, with a look influenced by football culture and terrace trends. A 3D digital foot-scanning machine, typically reserved for elite players, forms part of the in-store offer, reinforcing the emphasis on technical precision and product fit.
“Manchester is the beating heart of football culture, a city where the game’s history, passion, and future collide. Launching our new PD:FC concept here is about more than opening a store; it’s about creating a space that lives and breathes football and its culture. A place where players and fans can connect with the very best the sport has to offer. This is our home for the football inspired community in the Manchester area, from the streets to the stadiums, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone through the doors.”
Sam Baldock, Chief of Brand, PRO:DIRECT Sport
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