Former JJB Sports CEO Tom Knight unveiled plans for Intersport Sporting Pro, a new retail chain that will be financed by UK fashion and homewares retailer Matalan in a bid to fill the void left by the 2012 bankruptcy of JJB Sports.

 

 

Intersport Sporting Pro plans to open 14 stores by the end of 2013 and employ roughly 370 people, according to British media reports. The stores will measure 15,000 square feet and offer apparel, footwear and some team sports and racquet equipment with strong emphasis on women’s running.

 

The chain will carry Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Asics, Reebok, Under Armour, Kappa, Canterbury and Onitsuka Tiger. And hardgoods from Head, Babolat, Wilson, Speedo, Raleigh as well as the outdoor brands Columbia and Berghaus, according to TheBusinessDesk.com.

 

Matalan operates 5 million square feet in over 200 stores and online.