Germany's 21sportsgroup has become the latest European retail chain to join Sports Trade & Marketing International (STMI), a Geneva-based international cooperative that provides purchasing services for sporting goods retailers with combined sales of about €2.1 billion.
The retailer joins founding-members Groupe GO Sport and Hervis Sports, the sports retail subsidiaries of the Casino Group and the Spar Group. 21sportsgroup said membership will do much to strengthen its market position, improve its buying terms, and widen its sporting goods product range. Members of STMI, which was founded in 2012, include Spain's Forum Sport, and the Swiss Migros subsidiary SportXX.
Mannheim-based 21sportgroup will add not only 14 more premium retail outlets belonging to Planet Sports and L&S Lauf- & Sport Shop in Germany, but also various successful European online brands: 21run.com, 21streetwear.com, 21cycles.com and planet-sports.com. 21sportsgroup is a leading sporting goods multichannel retailer in Running, Footwear and Action Sports categories.
“STMI is the ideal purchasing cooperative for 21sportsgroup because of its streamlined organization, big-name European retail Groups, and strong buying position within the international sports industry,” explains CEO Jörg Mayer. CFO Michael Burk adds: “As a new member of STMI, we will be purchasing at European Key Account level, giving us an excellent position from which to pursue our international growth aims.”
About Groupe GO Sport
Groupe GO Sport is one of the leading sporting goods and sneakers fashion in France and worldwide. Mainly present in France and in Poland, the Group also operates in 15 other countries through franchised stores. Its network comprises more than 500 stores. Groupe GO Sport achieved total net sales of €1.107 million, including value added taxes (VAT) in 2014 with its banners GO Sport, Courir and Twinner.
About Hervis Sports
Hervis Sport is a 100 percent owned Austrian-based subsidiary of Spar Oesterreichische Warenhandels-AG, one of the biggest food and non-food retailers in Austria. Hervis Sports is one of the leading sporting goods retailers in Eastern and Central Europe, with total sales of €425 million including VAT in 2014. As of Dec. 31, 2014, Hervis Sports owned or operated 189 integrated stores in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Croatia and Romania.
About Forum Sport
Forum Sport is part of the Eroski Group, a Spanish food and non-food retailer, and operates 42 stores in Spain. Mainly located in the Northern part of the country, Forum Sport is the leading sporting goods retailer in the region. Total sales of Forum Sport reached €136 million, including VAT, in 2014.
About SportXX
SportXX is part of the Migros Group, a Swiss food and non-food retailer, and operates 57 stores in Switzerland. SportXX total sales reached €30 million, including VAT, in 2014.
