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Markets Open For Sportswear

By FashionUnited

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Few retail sectors have changed as dramatically as sports apparel over the past few years. Once the preserve of athletes, sportswear has become part of the mainstream fashion industry. Foot Locker, the No 1 sports shoe retailer in America, plans to build its European operation into a EUR1.9 billion business over the next three to five years.

Its acquisition of 11 outlets in Ireland last month from Champion Sports raised a few eyebrows in the industry because Champion will still operate 13 stores and says it too has plans for expansion. The strength of the economy has made Ireland a magnet for multinational retail brands. International chains are well represented in every main town. Brands such as Zara, Esprit and French Connection have also established a presence in a market that targets a young population with unprecedented spending power.

Crossover sportswear has come a long way since it was synonymous with the foot- soldiers of the shiny tracksuit brigade. In the process, manufacturers and retailers have discovered new customer bases: sports apparel is no longer only synonymous with sporting activity and the clothing is no longer available only in dedicated sports shops.

Foot Locker