Decathlon Sales Up 15%

VILLENEUVE D’ASCQ, France (June 4) - Even though Decathlon increased its sales by only 5% in France, total sales grew by 14.9%. Europe’s largest sporting retailer recently reported that its 2000 total net revenues amounted FRF 16.4 billion (EUR 2.3bn). Gross operating profits were FRF 909 million (Eur 137mn) and pre-tax profits FRF 771 million (Eur 110mn). By the end of 2000 Decathlon operated 273 stores in 11 different countries. The company increased the number of stores in France by 10, from 191 to 201. The company plans to open 25 new stores of which 12 in France. Word has it that they will also be opening some of these new stores in Italy and Germany. Decathlon has also been busy reorganizing in the USA while going through start up phases in other countries such as Brazil and Poland where they have just opened new stores. Decathlon had a 18,000 strong work force in 2000 of which 14,500 in France and 3,500 abroad. (BT)