Sports Direct International, the British sports retail and wholesale group, has reportedly bagged yet another competitor with the acquisition of Nevisport, a Scottish outdoor chain of 12 technical outdoor and winter sports stores. Unconfirmed by either party last week, this move would mark another investment for Sports Direct in the outdoor business, after its acquisition of a 60 percent stake in Field & Trek earlier this year. The company also has a stake of 29.5 percent in Blacks Leisure, by far Britain’s largest outdoor retailer.
Nevisport was established in 1970 by two rock climbers, Ian Sykes and Ian Sutherland. Based in Fort William, the retailer still has its head office and mail order facilities on the estate of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain.
Just a few days earlier, in a laconic announcement that smacked of provocation, Sports Direct told analysts that it was postponing an investor day scheduled in Shirebrook on Sept. 25. The company referred to extra work caused by the acquisition of Everlast, the American boxing brand, but many felt that Sports Direct’s management simply could not be bothered to face questions about its murky figures, its growing debt and its lack of transparency towards the financial community. Among the latest investments, Sports Direct has further raised its shareholding in Umbro to 13.14 percent.
