Marka PJSC (MARKA.DU) opened two new branches of Cheeky Monkeys and Nike, in Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain, respectively, to be managed by its  retail arm “sporting goods retailers”,  the company disclosed on 17 January 2016. Marka’s new store covers 4,850 sqm in Al Ain and the company has exclusive selling rights for the ‘Nike’ brand in the emirate, the disclosure added. In April 2015, Marka acquired a majority stake in Cheeky Monkeys Playland & Sweet Surprises (an ‘edutainment’ concept for children) in addition to Retail Corp UAE (a subsidiary of Istithmar, a Dubai World company, that has selling rights for major sports brands such as Nike, Puma, Reebok and Adidas with a 15-store network). Marka had announced plans to open eight more Cheeky Monkeys Playland & Sweet Surprises across the GCC before 2018; the new opening brings the UAE total to five locations. (Company disclosure, Arabian Business)