Decathlon USA will be shutting down all of its operations at the end of the year. Decathlon USA is a subsidiary of the French-based sporting goods retailer which has hundreds of stores, mostly in Europe, but only four in the United States, all of which are in Massachusetts.
The shutdown will affect Decathlon USAs four Massachusetts stores — in Bellingham, Burlington, Hanover, and Norwood — in addition to Decathlon USAs regional headquarters and warehouse in Wilmington, Mass. Earlier this year the company had announced plans for a new facility in Woburn, which now will not be built.
There are approximately 240 Decathlon employees impacted by this decision. The majority are in the four stores and many will continue working for the company as it liquidates and winds down operations. All employees will be provided with severance and benefits in accordance with federal and state law. The liquidation is expected to begin in October and be completed in December.
Decathlons parent company bought the assets of the former MVP Sports Stores, Inc. in 1999. In 2003, Decathlon USA altered its business plan and shut down all but four of its 20 regional stores.
>>> Go Sport tried this in the 80s and failed miserably in the LA market by attempting to deliver a European concept in the U.S. Foot Locker looks and operates very differently in Europe, so why do European retailers try to import their concepts here. Will never work
