The Czech Republic’s biggest sports goods retailer Sportisimo is planning to step up production of its own goods in order to improve its ability to compete with its most important rival Decathlon. Hospodářské noviny report said the company has taken the majority shareholding position in the sportswear producer Klimatex with this in mind. HN cites Karel Kotoun, a consultant at the Prague office of Accenture who says that this is a tactic that’s already used to great effect by Decathlon. “For Sportisimo, which has expanded into a number of East European markets, the clear choice now is to strengthen its product range through the use of private labels,” said Kotoun. He said it would enable the company to achieve greater freedom and development of products. “This should help to meet the challenge of the aggressive competition.” Klimatex has turnover of around CZK 90m and operates four stores. By teaming up with Sportisimo, it will get immediate access to the retailer’s expanding retail network.
