Home market puts Decathlon under pressure

VILLENEUVE D’ASCQ, France - Keen competition, decreased prices and unusual climatic conditions have put heavy pressure on the French sporting goods market in 2006. As a result, the largest local retailer in this segment, Decathlon saw its group’s domestic sale decline to 42% of the total turnover in 2006, indicating sales of around € 2.3 billion in France.

Despite these local difficulties Decathlon managed tot continue its expansion abroad. The international turnover grew by 18% to € 1.68 billion. These results are thanked to the opening of 31 new stores in 2006, primarily outside of France. With comparable stores, the global progression would have been only 1%.

Of the 31 newly opened stores in 2006, 8 were in China, carrying the store total of Decathlon in this country to 13 points of sale. Per December 31, 2006 Decathlon has 225 stores in France, 52 in Spain, 39 in Italy, 13 in China, 8 in Belgium and Portugal, 7 in Germany, 6 in the UK, 5 in Hungary and Poland, 3 in Brazil, 2 in the Netherlands and one in Russia.