Intersport France Expands Influence, Steering Operations in Spain and Portugal

Intersport Spain begins a new phase under the control of its French subsidiary. As confirmed by the company on Monday through a statement, the French structure of the sports distribution chain will now assume the management of operations in Spain and Portugal, as Modaes reported last October. This move involves the creation of a new hub for southern Europe, which will unify the markets of France, Belgium, Spain and Portugal. The decision, taken by the parent company International Intersport Corporation (IIC), consolidates the leadership of the French model within the group and marks a new stage in its growth strategy.

The move involves the absorption of the Spanish headquarters and the creation of a new Iberian subsidiary that will coordinate local development in both countries. This new axis will be overseen by Gérard Leclerc, President of Intersport France, Spain, Portugal and Belgium, who stressed that the change “marks the recognition of French know-how and the ability to federate a solid collective dynamic”.

The new turnaround comes after a year of internal transformation for the French cooperative, which in 2024 integrated the Go Sport chain, modernized its store network and launched a new brand platform. With a turnover of €3.88 billion in 2024 and more than 980 stores on the French market, the group operates with 19,000 employees and a central structure in Longjumeau (Essonne), supported by four logistics platforms with a total surface area of 180.180,000 square meters, distributed between Saint-Vulbas and Pont d’Ain (Ain department), Autrèche (Indre-et-Loire) and Machecoul (Loire-Atlantique).

Intersport France will now manage operations in Spain and Portugal

Intersport France also owns Manufacture Française du Cycle, the country’s main bicycle assembly plant, and the Blackstore brand, which specializes in urban and lifestyle fashion, a format that has gained weight in its multichannel strategy.

Since the beginning of the liquidation of the Spanish purchasing center, Intersport’s business in France has been one of the main candidates to take over the company. Throughout last summer, Intersport España tried to develop a viability plan to avoid taking the companies into liquidation.

However, after two months of negotiations with its pool of creditors, the company finally began the liquidation process. Intersport España was part of the network of national companies that, despite operating independently, make up the Intersport International business. The group, founded in 1968, is one of the world’s leading sports equipment distribution companies, the result of the decision of the purchasing centers of ten countries to join together to gain negotiating power with the brands.