Retailwatching.nl, a Dutch publication, reports that Perry Sport intends to close at least six stores this year, while going ahead with the roll-out of an updated store concept in the largest Dutch cities and the launch of a new online store. Perry Sport is one of the Dutch retail banners acquired last year by JD Sports Fashion, the British sports and outdoor retailer – after the bankruptcy of Perry Sport's previous owner, the Unlimited Sports Group (USG), which owned Perry along with Aktiesport, a more price-driven sports fashion retailer, and several brands and distribution activities. The new concept was inaugurated at Perry's flagship store in central Amsterdam, with an adjusted lay-out and a sharper focus on training, running and outdoor. Bote Galema, sales and marketing director of Sports Unlimited Retail, is quoted as saying that the changeover was initiated before Perry's acquisition by JD Sports. The retailer intends to renovate about six Perry shops per year, starting with stores in larger cities such as Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht. On the other hand, stores in Spijkenisse, Almere, Doetinchem, Heerlen and Leeuwarden are apparently set to close this year. When it comes to the new online store, Galema told Retailwatching that is was modeled on the JD concept. JD Sports Fashion said at the time of the takeover that Aktiesport and Perry Sport jointly had 187 stores in the Netherlands, and that 55 of them would close shortly, after the termination of the leases by the bankruptcy trustee.

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