“The year 2017 was a favorable year to us, with nationwide expansion. We opened three new Decathlon centers in Botosani, Buzau and Piatra Neamt and expanded the center in Pallady, Bucharest,” says Alex Domsa, Decathlon Romania’s expansion manager. He has been working for the company for more than six years.
Decathlon also inaugurated its first logistics space in the country last year, which can supply at least 30 stores in SE Europe.
Decathlon currently operates 22 brick and mortar stores and an online store in Romania, as well as a logistics space in Stefanestii de Jos near Bucharest inaugurated in late 2017.
“We have a new phase of store network expansion planned for 2018. We will soon inaugurate a new Decathlon store in the country, which takes up 930 square meters,” the executive said without providing further details.
The retailer’s stores are usually located in shopping centers or retail parks. They are large, larger then those of its rivals, which is why the retailer does not go to malls. Decathlon is the discount store chain of the sporting goods market, focusing on low prices. Its stores range from 1,000 square meters to 5,000 square meters and carry products for 70 sports.
“We will be seeking to expand the store chain by adding about four new stores in 2018 and developing and upgrading our online platform.”
Alex Domsa did not provide details about last year’s figures, but Jean Francois Mace, CEO of Decathlon Romania, said at the end of 2017 that the retailer would see EUR200 million revenue, after a significant increase of 30%. Alex Domsa confirms the good performance.
“We are very happy with our performance in 2017. We reached the goals we set at the beginning of the year, such as the expansion of the store chain, the increase in the number of people who exercise, which shows a real development potential for the sporting sector in Romania.”
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)