Frasers Group Plc, the parent of Sports Direct and House of Fraser, is reportedly exploring acquiring France’s Go Sport chain out of insolvency as part of a broader plan to expand in Europe.
With 80 stores in France, Go Sport was placed into receivership in January after its owner ran out of the financial resources to maintain the company.
Buying the business out of administration would allow the U.K.-based Frasers to grow in France “with some authority rather than opening store by store,” Frasers Group’s CEO Michael Murray told Bloomberg. He said that sports brands are consolidating across Europe, providing an opportunity for Frasers.
The French newspaper Les Echos reported that other parties, including Intersport, have shown interest in Go Sport.
