Forzani and IIC- Intersport Int'l Complete an Agreement to Distribute Intersport Private Label Brands Into the U.S. Market
The Forzani Group Ltd. (TSX:FGL) and INTERSPORT International Corporation (IIC) have reached an agreement which will permit FGL to market INTERSPORT private brands directly to select retailers in the U.S. through its INTERSPORT North America (INA) Wholesale division. FGL will market these world class products utilizing its existing wholesale sales force.
Get access to everything we publish when you sign up for Outside+.
CALGARY, ALBERTA–(April 7, 2009) – The Forzani Group Ltd. (TSX:FGL) and INTERSPORT International Corporation (IIC) have reached an agreement which will permit FGL to market INTERSPORT private brands directly to select retailers in the U.S. through its INTERSPORT North America (INA) Wholesale division. FGL will market these world class products utilizing its existing wholesale sales force.
“In this retail environment, the phenomenal value of the INTERSPORT brands due to their uncompromising quality and great prices will stand out.” said Robert Sartor, CEO of The Forzani Group Ltd. The Company expects to begin shipping product to select U.S. retailers this fall.
Franz Julen, CEO of IIC, states: “For over 20 years, the private label business has been an essential part and a key success factor of the INTERSPORT business philosophy. The IIC shareholder and licensee FGL has as well led a very profitable and sustainable business with the INTERSPORT private labels for many years. The INTERSPORT Headquarter in Berne as well as the INTERSPORT Far East sourcing office offer FGL important and valuable services in the private label business. Therefore, it is the next logical step that IIC and FGL extend this successful private label business to the U.S. market. Due to the great private label experience of IIC and FGL as well as the possible economies of scale, we are convinced that the INTERSPORT private label success will continue to thrive in the challenging U.S. market.”
About the The Forzani Group Ltd.
The Forzani Group Ltd. is Canada’s largest national retailer of sporting goods with over $1.5 billion (CDN) in retail sales, offering a comprehensive assortment of brand-name and private-brand products, operating 337 corporate stores from coast to coast under the banners: Sport Chek, Coast Mountain Sports, Sport Mart, National Sports and Athletes World. Also operating 227 franchise stores under the banners: Sports Experts, INTERSPORT, Econosports, Atmosphere, Tech Shop, Pegasus, Nevada Bob’s Golf, Hockey Experts, The Fitness Source and S3. The Company currently has approximately 20% of the $7.6 billion (CDN) sporting goods market.
About INTERSPORT International Corporation
INTERSPORT International Corporation is the purchasing and management company of the INTERSPORT Group. With its retail turnover of EUR 8.8 billion and more than 5,200 associated retailers in 35 countries, INTERSPORT has the worldwide leading position in the sporting goods retail market. With private labels, the Group realizes retail sales of more than EUR 1.5 billion, a retail sales share of 18%.
The foregoing information may contain forward-looking statements relating to the future performance of The Forzani Group Ltd. Forward-looking statements, specifically those concerning future performance, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. The Company, with the appropriate securities commissions, details these risks and uncertainties from time to time.
