The distributor MRH Sport has struck a deal to sell Bullpadel pádel racquets through John Lewis. We learn this from The Padel Paper, according to which John Lewis is the first major department store in the UK to stock pádel racquets for online sale.
Some 18 Bullpadel racquets are now on the British department store chain’s website.
MRH was founded a year ago by Maximillian Holloway, who serves as CEO, and the investment group to which Holloway belongs, R3 Sport.
R3 is devoted to pádel and has three business lines: venues, events and brands. In the UK and abroad, it is planning to build pádel venues (a complex in southeast England is slated to open this year) and launch a “Super League.” On the brand front – Bullpadel aside – R3 is investing in a premium brand of racquet-sport athleisure called Chiquita. It is also sponsoring pádel players, having signed eight so far.
According to Emilia Hougasian, who handles sports buying at John Lewis and is cited by The Padel Paper, “padel is taking the UK by storm, and it’s certainly not showing any signs of slowing down. The fact that it’s always played in doubles means it’s a very sociable sport – so it’s no wonder it’s such a hit. We predict it could soon rival sports like squash or badminton.”
