Joachim Schröder, a leading figure in German sports retailing, died on Nov. 10 at the age of 65. He propelled Karstadt to the #1 position in the German sports market, notably by establishing innovative partnerships with major American brands that were trying to find their way into the European market. One of his feats was the sponsorship of a golf competition with Tiger Woods and other top golfers, launching balls from the roof of a Karstadt store in Hamburg to a building across the street. Schröder started his 28-year career at Karstadt in 1974 as store assistant. He became a buyer three years later and took charge of sporting goods in 1981, adding toys ten years later. A fan of American culture, he made his first visit to the NSGA trade show in Chicago in 1982. Under his management, Karstadt launched a golf store chain and Runners Point, the German retail chain that was recently acquired by Foot Locker. He retired in 2002.

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