Global sports brand Decathlon has seen the Philippines as an emerging market for sports wearable and equipment.

France-based Decathlon is expanding in the Philippines with the opening of its newest store in Cebu last March 1. This is the retail sports brand’s first store opening in the country this year.

Decathlon’s 3,000-square meter sports retail zone in SM City Cebu is also its 10th store in the Philippines and first store outside Luzon.

“The Philippines has shown itself to be an emerging market for sports, especially with the rise of several athletes in the recent Olympic Games and other world sporting events. We see that more people are aspiring to be good, if not great, at their sport, or just discover a sport in general. We also have seen with our own projects how sports changes lives through our social impact initiatives. Sport discovery and practice is very promising among Filipinos,” Decathlon Philippines country marketing and communications leader Jessica de Leon said in an email to Philippine News Agency on Tuesday.

“We are excited to launch not only a new store, but a key milestone for us in making sports accessible to more and more Filipinos. In Decathlon, we always go where the sport lovers are, and Cebu is the perfect starting line for us, with its blend of urban playgrounds and nature destinations, and of course its active and dynamic residents. We look forward to welcoming all sport lovers and sparking the wonders of sport within each one,” Decathlon Philippines president Hans Iff said.

Decathlon Cebu offers a range of products for over 70 sports.

Meanwhile Hathaipat Theintangpiriya, Decathlon store leader for Cebu and city leader for Visayas and Mindanao, said the sports retail brand will further expand its footprint in the southern Philippines.

Decathlon stores are present in Fairview, North Edsa, Antipolo City, Pasig City, Ermita, Mall of Asia, Clark, Laguna, and Cebu. (PNA)