Latest news with #SankarChatterjee
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Make in India, circularity, and fitness fads – Decathlon wants a chunk of India's sports retail pie
French sporting goods retailer Decathlon foresees 80% of their sales in India coming via Make in India products in the next five years, up from the current 60%. This syncs up with the sports retailer's investment of 100 million euros in India last year as part of a strategic plan to boost local manufacturing and solidify their presence in the country. 'Such sales are just not restricted to textile items. For instance, in the case of bicycles that we sell here, 98% is made in India. 10 years before, this was a mere 2%. So, it has come a long way. Make in India is a big advantage in terms of hedging the risk amid the geopolitical scenario, import restrictions and many other uncertainties that may come up. At the same time, it also hedges risk linked to currency fluctuations. So, we believe that India production as well as manufacturing is a strength for the business model of Decathlon India,' Sankar Chatterjee , CEO, Decathlon India told ET Digital in an interaction. A global multi-specialist sports brand offering over 60 sports under one roof, Decathlon is a manufacturer of sporting goods. With 1,750 stores worldwide and 133 stores in India, it is now looking to further its sustainability operations in the India market. The brand announced the launch of its circular business model in the country on Wednesday, anchored around three core offerings – repair services available in over 95 stores, second life resale of refurbished products in more than 90 stores and buyback of used equipment in over 50 stores, which will be slowly scaled across the country and will later be made available online. Decathlon anticipates diverting over 3,00,000 sports products from landfills by 2027 through these efforts, creating a reduction in environmental impact. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Pelajari Undo Sankar Chatterjee, CEO, Decathlon India highlights that India comes among the top 10 sports markets in the world. As part of the launch, it unveiled its sustainability campaign, Second Life Bazaar , scheduled to begin on World Environment Day from June 5th to 15th, across 68 stores nationwide. The Bazaar is designed to encourage sustainable consumption by empowering customers with hands-on DIY maintenance workshops and practical ways to prolong the lifespan of their sports gear. Annie George , Leader Sustainable Development, Decathlon India, states that the focus is on creating real and scalable solutions as India moves towards a circular economy. 'Such solutions can range from designing for durability to enabling easy repairs and buybacks. It's not just about reducing environmental impact–it's about reshaping how people access sport in a more responsible way,' she says. Live Events The circular turnover for the brand is expected to scale to Rs 100 cr by 2027 versus Rs 35 cr in the current year. The India launch is a key part of Decathlon's global decarbonisation strategy, which includes achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and a 42% reduction in absolute CO2 emissions by 2030. This is being driven by a focused approach to eliminating single-use plastic, designing long-lasting, repairable products, scaling second-life solutions, and reducing site emissions. George highlights that the biggest contribution that comes into their footprint is the products. 'Manufacturing, transporting, using the products – that is where the entire emissions stem from. When one moves towards a circular way of doing business, instead of manufacturing a new product, it is reused and it can be used multiple times. In the future, there can be other ways of increasing the life of the product through repair. Right now, our focus is decarbonising the circular business and then eventually we will move into regenerative business,' she says. Decathlon first rolled out its circular business model nearly five years ago across markets such as France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, the UK and Poland, where it has seen strong consumer uptake and operational maturity in repair and DIY spares and accessories. With the India rollout, Decathlon looks to strengthen its position in low-impact, circular sports retail which blends in sustainability as part of its operations. Delving into the future plans for the sports brand in the country, Chatterjee states that they are also investing on the value chain in terms of logistics' automation to create 'very fast' deliveries. 'We are today working with ecommerce; we are also working to make our own DTC channel for faster delivery possibilities with the investment of last mile and fulfilment strategy,' he states. Bullish about the future of the sports market in India in the times ahead, the Decathlon India CEO highlights that India comes among the top 10 sports markets in the world. As per a joint report by Deloitte and Google last year, India's sports market is projected to grow to $130 billion by 2030 from a market size of $52 billion now, accelerating at a CAGR of 14%. 'The young generation is now spending more time on leading an active lifestyle and playing more sports. Besides, interest in different kinds of sporting activities is coming up and not just in cricket. An example of that is the Indian Super League on football, which was not present some years back. There is a lot of investment in sports like Kabbadi and Table Tennis as well. These are all part of competitive sports. But even in leisure sports, spending time on activities like fitness or technical sports is happening in a big way. So the market is continuously evolving and we are a part of that change,' he says.
Fashion Network
27-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Decathlon aims to double sourcing from India following India EU FTA finalisation
Sports apparel and equipment retail business Decathlon aims to double its sourcing from India following the upcoming finalisation of the free trade agreement between India and the European Union, which is expected to significantly increase India's global competitiveness in the fashion industry. "Currently 6% of the total global sourcing is coming from India, which can move up to 15% in a year," Decathlon Sports India's chief executive Sankar Chatterjee told ET Bureau. "This is a ballpark figure." The FTA is currently expected to reach its conclusion in December this year. This could positively impact the wider sporting goods production sector in India, the Economic Times reported. At present, Decathlon's sourcing from India includes raw materials like yarn and textiles ranging from cotton to synthetic fibres. In the 2025 financial year, 60% of the business' total sourced goods from India in value terms was sourced for exports while the remaining 40% was used for local sales. "Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Indonesia compete on many products," said Chatterjee. "If you slash the India export duties to 0%, the game will change. Because India's lead time to Europe is much more convenient. And sometimes, when you compare with Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Indonesia, it's 12 days lesser lead time for India."
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Decathlon plans to double sourcing from India once EU FTA is finalised
Bengaluru: French sporting goods retailer Decathlon plans to double its sourcing of goods from India once the country's free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) is finalised, Sankar Chatterjee, the chief executive of the company's India operations, told ET. Decathlon Sports India's Chatterjee said if the FTA comes through as expected by December, the Indian production market for sporting goods could see a boom. "Especially for Decathlon. Currently 6% of the total global sourcing is coming from India, which can move up to 15% in a year. This is a ballpark figure," he told ET. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Socialprofiler: A Social Media Deep Search Tool for Modern Background Checks - TechBullion TechBullion Undo In terms of quantity, the 6% by value translates to about 100 million units. The privately-owned company, known for running big-box stores selling bicycles to fitness equipment to cricketing goods, sources textile products such as cotton and synthetic apparels, and raw materials such as yarn and fabric from India. Live Events Decathlon sources goods and raw materials worth about ₹4,150 crore from India, with procurement for Europe accounting for about ₹2,100 crore (about $250 million). In 2024-25, 60% of the total sourcing from India by value was utilised for exports while the rest was for local sales. According to Chatterjee, when Europe imports from India, it pays about 9.6% as tax. "Which means Bangladesh, Vietnam and Indonesia compete on many products. If you slash the India export duties to 0%, the game will change. Because India's lead time to Europe is much more convenient. And sometimes, when you compare with Vietnam, Bangladesh and Indonesia, it's 12 days lesser lead time for India," he said. India is the fourth-largest destination for Decathlon's global procurement after China, Vietnam and Bangladesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen committed in February to conclude the India-EU FTA agreement by 2025. India's bilateral trade in goods with the EU is worth $137.4 billion, with the EU accounting for 17% of India's exports. Decathlon started sourcing from India in 1999 and has 65 suppliers who operate some 110 factories in the country. In 2023-24, Decathlon India posted ₹4,066 crore revenue and profit of ₹197 crore. The company is yet to declare its FY25 results. In India, it operates 133 outlets across 53 cities. Chatterjee said that in the last decade, the number of Indians playing sports or being active increased from 5% of the country's population to 17%.
Fashion Network
28-04-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Decathlon partners with Tata Cliq Fashion to bolster online presence
Global multi-sports apparel and lifestyle brand Decathlon has partnered with Tata Cliq Fashion to strengthen its e-commerce presence in India and connect with shoppers in new geographies, especially across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. 'India's sports landscape is evolving rapidly, with individuals increasingly embracing fitness and an active lifestyle," said Decathlon India's CEO Sankar Chatterjee in a press release. "We believe that sports have the transformative power to make societies healthier and happier and our alliance with Tata Cliq Fashion is a step in that direction. As a customer-first brand, Decathlon is committed to provide an immersive and elevated omni experience through e-commerce collaborations to engage with a wider audience. Our extensive range of high-quality products ensures that every sport lover, regardless of location or experience level, is equipped with the essential tools to unlock their full potential. By integrating technology and leveraging Tata Cliq Fashion's customer base, Decathlon is redefining the sports retail experience with greater convenience and inclusivity.' Decathlon has launched over 5,000 sports products on Tata Cliq Fashion's platform, joining over 4,000 Indian and international labels on the e-commerce store. Decathlon offers goods across 60 sport categories, now deliverable to over 24,000 Indian pin codes with Tata Cliq Fashion. 'At Tata Cliq, we are committed to offering a diverse and thoughtfully curated assortment that resonates with the evolving preferences of our consumers," said Tata Cliq's CEO Gopal Asthana. "The sports and fitness category on Tata Cliq Fashion is one of our top-performing categories with a significant contribution of revenue to our overall business. We are elated to expand our portfolio further with the availability of Decathlon's exceptional quality and vast product range, as it aligns seamlessly with our vision to provide a complete sporting solution for every consumer. Together, we aim to redefine the way the nation shops for sports and fitness essentials, taking a meaningful step toward building a healthier and fitter India.'
