Expansion is right at the top of Intersport Germany’s agenda in 2022: the existing dealer network is being strengthened and further expanded with a significant investment program. An example is the opening of Intersport Stommen in Essen, Germany, on March 3, 2022. The sports retailer offers more than 850 square meters of sales space in the Limbecker Platz shopping center with digital elements, warm color tones and consumer-centric omnichannel services. The new store is divided into the three topical segments: Running, Training and Outdoor. In addition to leading brand manufacturers, the range also includes Intersport’s exclusive brands. A special feature is a 3D measurement that maps the foot in its entirety and filters the perfect shoe from the range. There is also a close link with online retail: products that are not available on-site can be ordered online directly to the home or via Click & Collect.
“As the body of a unique retailer network, Intersport is strategically well-positioned for the future and on course for growth,” commented Dr. Alexander v. Preen, CEO of Intersport Deutschland eG. The calendar year 2021 confirmed the group’s positive business trend: Sales increased by 14 percent compared to the previous year. According to Intersport, this was possible by implementing the six drivers of Intersport’s “Best in Sports” strategy: Purpose (sports are relevant to the system), Retail (growth and expansion with strong affiliated retailers), Omnichannel (digitalization of all relevant customer interfaces), Wholesale (new services for industry partners), Brand (sustainable repositioning of the Intersport brand) and Culture (people make companies successful).
Despite the troubled global economic conditions, the still ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the persistently fragile supply chain situation, Intersport Germany still intends to grow faster than the market, both stationary and online: “With our growth program and the boosting of our retail and omnichannel areas, we are pushing forward in 2022. Overall, we oversee hundreds of modernization and expansion measures in our retail portfolio and expect to invest millions in the process. We will create brand new experiences in new and modernized sales areas throughout Germany,” said v. Preen.
Photo: @ Marc Vollmannshauser
