Decathlon has started selling a 30 percent stake in its China business, with a deal potentially valuing the unit at about $1 billion or more, according to a Bloomberg report.
Sources told the business publication that the French sporting goods retailer is working with an adviser and has attracted initial interest from potential investors. The report added that it may decide against a sale or consider other options to help it expand in China.
A China Daily article from May 2024 indicated that Decathlon had over 200 stores in over 100 cities across China and planned to open 20 to 30 more stores annually in China over the next two years.
The potential sales comes as Decathlon announced in March that Javier López, who had previously led Decathlon’s value chain, was appointed CEO, replacing Barbara Martin Coppola who had served in the role since March 2022. His appointment came shortly after Julien Leclercq, the son of Decathlon Founder Michel Leclercq, was named Board chair.
