French sports retailer Decathlon is all set to open its first full store in Japan in 2019.
The announcement to launch its first physical store in Japan comes in the wake of recent opening of its store in South Korea. It also comes immediately after Decathlon’s entry into Kenyan market.
The company’s progress in Japan has been a slow and measured one ever since its website launch in 2015. The website helped the company not only create awareness of the brand but also understand the needs and likes of shoppers.
It then opened a small test store called Decathlon Lab in Osaka in 2017 where a limited range of products were offered to customers.
2019 will see Decathlon opening its store inside Hankyu Nishinomiya Gardens shopping mall in the city of Nishinomiya.
In addition to showcasing its own brands like Quechua, Domyos and Kalenji, the store will also provide space to customers to test those products.
According to BPI France, Japan is globally the second largest sport market following USA, and generated US $ 12.6 billion in 2017.
