INTERSPORT - the biggest football retailer in Europe
01.06.2006 | In 2006 INTERSPORT retail sales of football products will exceed EURO 700 million, for the first time ever. INTERSPORT is clearly the biggest football retailer in Europe.
Retail sales over the last few months and orders placed for the second half of the year will lead to annual retail sales of football products within the INTERSPORT group exceeding EURO 700 million (30% increase on last year) in 2006. In doing so, INTERSPORT will sell over five million pairs of football boots and is Europe’s clear market leader in football.
In 2005, the INTERSPORT group reached retail sales of EURO 550 million through sales of football products. In 2006 an increase of 30% is expected. The increase in retail sales is closely linked to the football World Cup in Germany. Although INTERSPORT increased retail sales by 15-20% during the last big football events, the coming World Cup is having an even bigger influence on retail sales of football products. “Since the last World Cup in Europe in 1998, football has become more popular and global. The current World Cup will take place in Germany, a football stronghold, and all the big European football nations have qualified for the event. Above all, adidas and Nike have invested heavily into the product category football. This competitiveness is great for business and guarantees innovative products combined with strong marketing investment”, the main reasons for the promising European-wide football business according to Franz Julen, CEO IIC - INTERSPORT International Corp.
Since December 2005, retail sales of football apparel and hardware, in particularly footballs have been excellent. Since April 2006, the turnover in football boots has dramatically increased. In Europe, INTERSPORT has a 25% share of the football boot market and is the clear market leader. „ For the first time in 2006 the group will sell over five million pairs of football boots and, with additional sales of other football products, will reach retail sales of over EURO 700 million", predicts Franz Julen. This makes and keeps the INTERSPORT group the biggest football retailer in Europe.
In Summer 2004, the group decided that special focus would be placed on football in 2006, both in terms of product and marketing, without neglecting other product categories. In doing so, football product and marketing initiatives were mainly focused on chosen partners adidas, Nike and Puma as well as INTERSPORT’s exclusive brand PRO TOUCH. "This strategic direction in football, concentrating on four key brands has proven itself. In the last few months we have achieved excellent sell-out results with all four brands ", continued Franz Julen.
With a turnover of EUR 7.7 billion and more than 4,800 specialist sports stores in 32 countries, the INTERSPORT Group has further strengthened its position as the leader in the world sporting goods market.
