Sport Alliance International, which buys for 265 stores in Italy, has become the newest member of Sport 2000 International GmbH, which is Europe's second largest purchasing cooperative of independent sports dealers.
Based in Bolzano, Sport Alliance International had sales of around $365 million in 2014. It's member stores, which are located primarily in northern and central Italy, will now co-brand as official partners of SPORT 2000.
The pooling of purchasing capacity and other synergies will greatly strengthen Sport 2000's position in Europe, the company's CEO Harold J. Rubrech, said.
“The possibility of marketing campaigns across Europe to communicate consistently in specialist shops and in cooperation with international brands is interesting,” Rubrech said.
The partnership boosts Sport Alliance International 's standing with customers as well as brand partners, especially given its members' focus on Ski/Mountaineering, Running, Soccer and training.
“It fits perfectly strategically with the multi category specialists in these areas,” said Sport Alliance International Commercial Director Andrea Morino.
Including Sport Alliance, the Sport 2000 purchasing cooperative now represents independent sports dealers with 3,854 stores in 23 countries that generated combined sales of $8.4 billion.
