From Retail to Leadership: Lessons from the Sports Industry
The sports retail industry has seen tremendous growth in recent years. The global market is estimated to generate around $223 billion in revenue in 2024 and expand to $294 billion in 2030, a notable expansion from when I first entered the field.
I have been fortunate to build a rewarding career in this dynamic space, working my way up from a footwear sales associate to now serving as President of Sports at GMG. Along the way, I have learned invaluable lessons about leadership, resilience, and fostering a culture of growth.
The Journey
My journey began humbly when I discovered my passion for sports retail at a young age. Moving to Dubai in 2005 opened up incredible opportunities as the city was rapidly cementing its status as the global shopping destination it is today. This fueled the rapid development of the retail infrastructure and created ample room for career advancement. The industry's expansion has been staggering, and I feel privileged to have been part of that transformative growth.
Challenges
But the path to leadership hasn't been without challenges. Early on, youthful ambition alone was not enough to succeed without the necessary experience and expertise to truly add value. As my roles evolved, I encountered overly complex business processes and resistance to change in an ever-shifting industry. Overcoming these obstacles required building the right team, promoting cross-functional alignment, and leading by example in change management.
Cross-functional mobility has been particularly impactful for our employees' development. Encouraging team members to gain experience across different areas of the business broadens their skill sets, fosters collaboration, and sets them up for long-term success. Seeing how this approach has enabled our talent to thrive has been personally and professionally gratifying.
The power of resilience
Resilience and stepping up during adversity have also been critical. True leadership shines in navigating challenges and rallying the team through tough times. I credit much of my own motivation and perseverance to organisations that demanded it for success. Embracing setbacks as growth opportunities is vital. That said, only 23% of global respondents to a PwC survey felt their business' various crisis management functions are well integrated, a significant gap between expectations and reality.
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Empowering the team
Some of the most important lessons I have learned centre on valuing and empowering your team. Never take talent for granted, address underperformance, break down silos, and foster a collaborative, solution-oriented mindset - core values we uphold at GMG. Seeing team members here grow into senior leadership roles, even across other business verticals, has been a highlight of my career. We are immensely proud of our internal success stories.
To those looking to advance professionally, I advise mastering your area of expertise while surrounding yourself with complementary subject matter experts. As a leader, empower your team to think innovatively, take ownership, feel confident, and respectfully challenge you when needed. Additionally, they should be encouraged to become problem-solvers and change agents.
Culture of growth and development
Developing a culture of growth means collaborating with the people function on robust performance management and learning programs. However, it also requires leading by example, celebrating internal success stories, and demonstrating a commitment to helping talent advance as the organization expands. At GMG Sports, we have evolved to incorporate a diverse portfolio of global brands, underscoring the importance of continual development.
Looking ahead, our future vision focuses on continuously enhancing customer experiences and offering relevant product solutions as we grow across MENA, SEA and Hong Kong. With this comes exciting opportunities to showcase our capabilities as a retail partner and provide ongoing career development for our diverse team. We will continue investing in our people and building an empowered, innovative culture.
The sports industry's incredible growth shows no signs of slowing. I am excited and humbled to help lead the way forward, powered by the lessons of my own journey and the talent of our tremendous team. Together, we will keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
More then 13 year Sales and Retail seeking a career in customer service Relations and utilize professional skills to become a great asset to fast pes growing company and corporation and achieving the company’s goal.
2wHi sir
Leveraging ten years of diverse experience in the retail industry to pursue new opportunities.
2wDear Hiring Manager, I am writing to express my keen interest in potential job opportunities within your esteemed organization that align with my extensive professional background. With ten years of dedicated experience in the retail industry, I am confident in my ability to make a meaningful contribution to your team and play a pivotal role in enhancing the success of the store. Throughout my career, I have honed my leadership skills and acquired comprehensive knowledge in retail operations. My hands-on experience encompasses overseeing daily store activities, managing inventory, implementing effective merchandising strategies, and consistently delivering exceptional customer service. I take pride in my proven track record of motivating and guiding team members to achieve and surpass sales targets while upholding the highest standards of customer satisfaction. I am currently located in India and have attached my resume for your reference. Thank you for considering my application. I am enthusiastic about the possibility of contributing to your esteemed team and would welcome the opportunity for further discussion. Sincerely, Sadaq Mohammed Mobile: +91 9133811791 Email: Sadaqmohammed@hotmail.com
Sales Associate at GMG
3wHi good day ma'am/ sir, I'm interested in your company, how to apply?I also worked in the sales sports industry before in the Philippines. I am now here in dubai. Thanks in advance.
Marketing & Communication Leader | Senior Account Manager | Unlocking emotional depth to change customers Behavior | Driving brand growth and ROI through strategic Marketing initiatives and Advertising campaigns
4wI fully agree that cross-functional mobility and resilience are crucial for success. creating a culture that empowers and values team members is essential. Few realize that the key to improving customer experiences lies in first investing in the team. Thank you Carl Masterman for sharing your thoughts.