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The French sporting goods specialist Decathlon sets with a further co-operation new accents in the German retail sector. In cooperation with the department stores' chain Galeria The company will take over retail space in several shops of the department stores' chain from July 2025.
The partnership initially comprises the locations in Constance, Duisburg, Freiburg, Trier and Kassel, with further shops to follow. Decathlon plans to offer its sports range in areas of between 1500 and 3500 square metres. The company expects to employ between 25 and 75 staff per location to manage the new sales areas.
Strategic importance of cooperation
The collaboration between Decathlon and Galeria aims to promote local sports enthusiasm. The integration of the Decathlon range is intended to strengthen and expand Galeria's existing sports offering. For Decathlon, the cooperation offers the opportunity to expand its presence in attractive and fast-growing city centre locations and to tap into new target groups.
Expansion and location planning
The first opening as part of the new cooperation is planned for the beginning of August 2025 in Constance. Customers will be able to find the familiar Decathlon range on a sales area of around 1,500 square metres. Further Decathlon shops in Trier, Kassel and Duisburg are planned for the end of 2025. The locations were selected in close consultation between the two companies.
Kathrin Dohle, Head of Sublease Management at Galeria, is responsible for subleasing the department stores' space. She explains the process: "We leave nothing to chance when it comes to space and location planning and selecting our partners. Together, the teams have analysed very carefully which Galeria shops make sense for both sides in this collaboration."
Effects on the retail trade
The strategic partnership between Decathlon and Galeria could have a far-reaching impact on the retail landscape in Germany. The combination of the two companies - Galeria's established city centre presence and Decathlon's comprehensive range of sporting goods - will create a new concept that takes account of changing customer needs. Not forgetting that department stores and city centre retailers in general are currently struggling because many people prefer online orders and home delivery.
Further information
- Foundation: 1976
- Employees worldwide: More than 100,000
- Branches worldwide: 1700
- Employees in Germany: More than 5000
- Branches in Germany: Over 80
- Annual number of visitors: Over 185 million
- Branches: 83
- Cities with a Galeria presence: around 70
Marc Strucken
Editor
