So the Uk has only one major sporting chain remaining

[domosborn]

So JJB is in administration, and with that sports direct gains a monopoly in the high street for sports gear, while it offers great value, i can't help but feel that specialist sports stores will struggle even more, for example where I live in nottingham there is only one pro shop, way outside the city centre, I can only imagine how difficult it must be for those who's sport is even more marginal than tennis, (badminton sqaush etc) Sports direct seems to be swallowing up independent retailers...

[El Diablo]

Rather ironic post to find on an internet sports merchandise website.

[domosborn]

well its an outlet where people are likely to have an opinion and the irony wasnt lost on me as i wrote this :P just food for thought...

[chrischris]

The room for business to prosper gets vacuumed up it seems by big chains.. Its like McSport vs Sport King . Lol.

[SempreSami]

I avoid the generic chains like the plague, prefer specialists for my running gear.

[Feña14]

Originally Posted by SempreSami

I avoid the generic chains like the plague, prefer specialists for my running gear.

I don't mind them. I like the risk of coming out the door to see the chavs lighting up for a smoke. How they don't go up in flames along with their newly purchased polyester tracksuits, i'll never know.

I think shops like JJB are good for some things, the weights and equipment like that are always pretty cheap.

[SoBad]

The past of a nation lives overseas.

[MAXXply]

Isn't JD Sports just as big as Sports Direct? Are these now the two biggest chains in the UK? I get these two retailers confused. And what about Pro-Direct? Their online presence is pretty big.

The restrictive overseas shipping policies of TW USA has led me to discover the benefits of UK online sports retailers. Pro-Direct is very easy to order from and their no-VAT policies for foreign orders is a no-brainer.

[Dream_On]

What about Pro Direct yes?

And JD Sports, Intersport and surely JJB still exists if its in admin?

[rommil]

Is this where Vicky Pollard shops?

[Dave M]

Intersport don't exist in the UK anymore do they? The ones round here in Dorset changed to sports soccer many years ago.
I wondered about JD sports but again the only local one we had this way seems to of gone, just down to SD now and a always empty JJB next door to it. (empty in terms of stock and people)

[Dags]

Originally Posted by Dave M

Intersport don't exist in the UK anymore do they?

They do, but very few carry the Intersport name any more. Curiously, pretty much every 'independent' shop in my area happens to be backed by Intersport. If you go to their website (which won't be named as technically it's a competitor, though I imagine you can figure it out), there's a page to search for stores in your area.

[Dave M]

Originally Posted by Dags

They do, but very few carry the Intersport name any more. Curiously, pretty much every 'independent' shop in my area happens to be backed by Intersport. If you go to their website (which won't be named as technically it's a competitor, though I imagine you can figure it out), there's a page to search for stores in your area.

I should of said it more as a question than a statement about them being in the UK, didn't mean to imply they were not around anymore, looks like we've got one Dorset way but as you say I didn't realise it was an intersport.
I knew they were still on France, thanks Dags.

[Ash_Smith]

Intersport are a semi-franchise operation (similar to Best Western Hotels) in that each store is independently owned and operated, but benefits from the bulk buying capacity of a larger chain as well as other benefits, like using the brand name. I believe in continental Europe they operate as a centrally owned brand.

[Dave M]

Originally Posted by Ash_Smith

. I believe in continental Europe they operate as a centrally owned brand.

There is one near Evian in France, nice big shop which depending on the time of year you used to be able to pick up some nice tennis stuff. On their website the local DW we have here is listed as an intersport so the franchise thing makes sense. I notice that our local JJB is now boarded up,happened pretty quick but as i think i said before if a sports direct opens in the unit next door and you don't alter your prices accordingly they were always in trouble.

[MAXXply]

What about Pro-Direct then? They seem massive, especially online. All the names sound the same after a while, it gets confusing - Pro-Direct, Sports Direct, JD Sports, JJB Sports et.al

[Ash_Smith]

Pro-Direct are an online retailer who have "stores" for tennis, football, rugby, running and cricket. I don't believe they have a physical store.

JJB was owned by Wigan FC/RFC chairman Dave Whelan and the chain faced financial issues a few years back - some stores and the gym chain were renamed DW Sports (in his name) and the other non performing stores went to the wall. I assume even tough JJB are in admin/sold to Sports direct the DW stores/gyms will still operate.

JD Sports have never been a sports shop - more a clothes retailer!

Sports Direct is owned by Mike Ashley who also has a share in the UK Dunlop/Slazenger business, hence the stores started as an outlet for their products and grew to include other brands. Still essentially a clothes retailer they now sell cheap racquets and golf clubs as well as other bits of random sports equipment!