JD Sports, Caribbean eatery to open at Oxford Valley Mall. Here's what shoppers can expect
Oxford Valley Mall will welcome two new stores this fall: JD Sports, an international sporting apparel and sneaker store, as well as a Caribbean restaurant called The Lighthouse to its food court.
JD Sports is preparing to open a 8,000-square-foot store on the first-floor in the space formerly occupied by Go! Calendar and Games, which will move to the second floor of the Middletown mall.
Based in the United Kingdom, JD Sports has 3,403 stores in 38 countries and its merchandise includes well known name brands such as Nike and North Face as well as upscale private labels.
In its annual report, the company states it becomes involved in the communities it serves and offers internships, apprenticeships and work experience to young people.
JD has seven locations in Pennsylvania including stores in Philadelphia and Willow Grove and should open in Oxford Valley by late fall.
Eatery featuring Caribbean cuisine to open in mall's food court
The Lighthouse is a Caribbean restaurant that plans to open in the food court in August.
Christopher Dudley, mall spokesman, said the Asian cuisine restaurant Master Wok also recently underwent a major transformation.
Mall welcomes Back-to-School shoppers
Dudley said the mall is looking forward to a robust Back-to-School season as more people are now shopping as the COVID-19 pandemic has eased.
"In person shopping has returned," Dudley said.
Oxford Valley Mall is owned by Simon, a national mall owner-operator. It has two anchor stores, Macy's and JC Penney. It is next to the new apartment complex being built by Cornerstone Tracy in a former section of the mall parking area.
While the apartment complex is ongoing, Middletown said it is not currently reviewing any plans for other façade or exterior changes or expansions for the mall.
As they walked past the upcoming JD Sports store, Ryan Gack, 20, of Philadelphia, agreed with Dudley about brick and mortar shopping. "I'd rather shop in person ... can try things on," she said. She's planning to head back to college this fall at Holy Family University.
According to the National Retail Federation, Back-to-School spending will be big business this year, with up to $41.5 billion in sales expected, compared to$36.9 billion for 2022. And Back-to-College spending will be even more, about $94 billion or $20 billion more than last year. The biggest ticket items for college students are electronics.
As it prepares for big shopping days ahead, the mall is looking for seasonal sales people.
"The labor challenges have gotten much better," Dudley said, but retail workers are still needed through the Back-to-School season and the holiday shopping season to follow. "We always need seasonal help, especially through the back end of the year."
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: JD Sports, Caribbean eatery to open at Oxford Valley Mall
