Mike Ashley is said to be planning a big move into the gym business through the likely acquisition of about 30 clubs operated by LA Fitness in the U.K. The controlling shareholder of Sports Direct International would thus emulate the strategies implemented by his rival, Dave Whelan, many of whose former JJB Sports stores incorporated a health and fitness club. When Ashley bought the JJB brand and some of its retail stores, Whelan bought back 50 of JJB sports clubs. He is running them now as DW Sports Fitness Clubs along with the stores he runs with Intersport.

Topics