About Decathlon
Decathlon is the world's largest sporting goods retailer, founded by Michel Leclercq on July 27, 1976, in Lille, France. The company's revolutionary concept was "all sports under one roof" - making sport accessible to everyone through quality products at affordable prices. The name "Decathlon" was chosen to represent the ten sports featured in the original store, though the retailer has since expanded to cover virtually every sporting discipline. The company's philosophy emphasises quality at first prices and accessibility at all levels. Today, Decathlon operates 1,817 stores across 79 countries with approximately 101,000 employees (2024). The company manages the entire product lifecycle in-house - research, design, production, logistics, and distribution - allowing them to offer exceptional value. Decathlon's in-house brands include: • Kipsta - football and team sports equipment • Quechua - outdoor and camping gear (first brand, launched 1980s) • Domyos - fitness equipment • B'Twin - cycling • Kalenji - running • And over 15 more specialist brands The business model features: • Big-box superstores averaging 4,000m² • Direct-to-consumer sales eliminating middlemen • Global supplier partnerships for quality and scale • Continuous innovation in sports technology In France, Decathlon dominates the sporting goods market, leading in 92.8% of zones. The company's success is built on making sport accessible - from entry-level products for beginners to advanced equipment for experienced athletes. Grocefully helps UK shoppers compare prices on Decathlon sports equipment across retailers, finding the best deals on quality sporting goods.

