Intersport Expands Footprint: Austria Takes Over Slovenian Operations

Intersport Austria strengthens its position in Europe with the acquisition of the Slovenian business. With this action, the sports equipment operator will manage from the Austrian country the network of stores in eight more countries: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia and North Macedonia.

Through the acquisition, the Intersport Austria group has expanded to more than five hundred points of sale in a total of twelve countries, the aforementioned countries plus those in which it already operated, such as Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Sales in these countries total, according to a company statement, up to €1 billion.

Intersport Austria CEO Franz Koll said that with this move the company is securing its “strong position in the European sporting goods market” while “generating synergies in purchasing, digitalization and logistics.“ According to the release, the local management teams will remain intact.

Intersport Austria will retain the local managements of the absorbed businesses

According to the company, Intersport ranks among the top three sporting goods retailers in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. In Albania, Kosovo, Serbia and northern Macedonia, the group operates through franchise partners.

The closing of the transaction is still subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities, and the purchase price has not been disclosed.

Instersport France has recently taken over the business in Spain and Portugal. The move has seen the creation of a new hub for southern Europe, unifying the markets of France, Belgium, Spain and Portugal.

The move came months after the Spanish purchasing center was sent into liquidation after failing to get creditors and banks to approve its alternative plans to avoid bankruptcy, including a write-down of up to 70% of debt.

According to the latest figures published, Intersport International closed the 2024 financial year with growth in both sales and the commercial network. Specifically, it achieved a turnover of €14 billion, an increase of 2.1% compared to the previous year. The group also increased its store base by 83 new stores, bringing its network to 5,464 in 42 countries.