Decathlon Sports India, which reported revenue of 4,133.10 crore rupees in the fiscal year 2025, is investing 100 million euros in developing and strengthening its manufacturing ecosystem in India.
CEO Sankar Chatterjee stated on Friday that Decathlon Sports India, as a leading manufacturer and retailer of sports goods, is demonstrating high double-digit sales growth. He expects the running sports goods category to generate over 1000 crore rupees in revenue over the next four years.
Furthermore, the company currently operates 132 stores in India and aims to reach 200 stores by 2030, with more than half a dozen new sales points expected to open in the next quarter. The company recently expanded its presence in the northeastern region by opening its first store in Guwahati, Assam, and is deepening its network of wholesalers and resellers in the region, including Shillong and other cities.
Chatterjee also noted that the subsidiary of the French sporting goods retailer Decathlon is closely monitoring the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and Europe and its potential impact on Indian manufacturing, especially in the sports goods sector. He told PTI: 'We are truly studying how the FTA will affect Indian manufacturing, especially for Decathlon, as much can be done for Europe.'
Footwear production is one of the key areas of focus for Decathlon as part of expanding its manufacturing capacity in India. Chatterjee emphasized the company's progress in meeting previously stated commitments, focusing on strengthening the 'Made in India' production base. He reported that 50 percent of the products sold in Decathlon's Indian stores this year were manufactured in India, and the company is increasing footwear production capabilities through investments in technology and talent, including product managers and engineers.
Regarding overall financial performance, Chatterjee noted that the company is showing 'slightly above double-digit' growth in the current fiscal period. The annual report for the last fiscal year is expected to be published within a month and is likely to show 'upper single-digit' growth along with a favorable outcome.
On Friday, Decathlon launched its specialized running sub-brand Kiprun in India, aiming to double the turnover of its running business in the country over the next four years. Chatterjee clarified: 'Currently, we are in the running segment just below the 500 crore rupee mark, and we plan to double this volume in the next four years.'
Under the Kiprun brand, Decathlon is launching 35 new products in the running segment this year, including 17 high-performance running shoes. According to an IMARC Group report, the Indian running gear market grew from USD 2.5 billion in 2025 to USD 2.7 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 4.9 billion by 2034. Chatterjee added that the segment targeting beginner, intermediate, and elite runners with shoes, apparel, and accessories has already been launched in several other global markets and is expected to nearly double within four to five years due to growing sports participation in the country.
Referring to the popularity of sports, Chatterjee mentioned that about 2000 running events were organized in India in 2025, compared to 500–600 events in 2018. Regarding the growing competition in the sports retail trade from players like Reliance Retail, he believes that the increase in participants reflects market expansion rather than a threat. As for the possibility of obtaining a multi-brand retailer license, the company is currently focusing on its own brands.