Sports retailer plots huge expansion; North West is a 'key market' for the firm

Decathlon to open 100 stores in the UK

Sports and cycle retailer Decathlon is planning to open ten outlets a year in the UK for the next decade, increasing the amount of stores it has in Britain tenfold.

Greater Manchester is to be a focus for the firm, according to Outdoori.

Despite being a major player in the sports retail market globally, and Europe especially, Decathlon’s presence in the UK has been relatively muted, with just nine stores across these shores.

The 100 store target will include a new smaller value-style store format – named Koodza – to be introduced by the retailer.

Decathlon UK chief exec Steve Dykes explained: "The UK has massive potential and the North West is a key expansion market for us."

Plans have already been firmed up for Decathlon’s tenth store, in Warrington, which will open in December.

The retailer currently employs around 1,000 people in the UK, with reported revenue of around £100 million a year.

There’s more on Decathlon here.

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