The Intersport organization of Fourlis Group, which is based in Greece, has lofty aspirations for expasion in its region over the coming years. Currently with 56 stores in Greece (34), Romania (16), Bulgaria (four) and Cyprus (two), it plans to expand this to more than 75 by 2014, with plans for at least 45 in Greece, 20 in Romania, six in Bulgaria and four in Cyprus.
The Greek sporting goods market suffered mightily in 2010 along with the rest of the economy; Intersport estimates the market to have dropped by more than 20 percent. Nonetheless, the sporting goods giant says it gained market share, with revenues falling by less than 5 percent in Greece and growing by 1 percent for the whole region, up to a total of just over €100 million.
For the first half of 2011, Intersport expects the dismal performance in the Greek sporting goods market to continue at the same pace, but the decline should slow in fall/winter. It is hoping for growth in the market in spring/summer 2012, with help from the Euro Cup football tournament and the London Olympics.
