In front of Sportmaster, the Dmitrovskoe Avenue, Moscow
Photo: Sergey Mikheev
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Pan Sportmaster
Russia’s Sportmaster has entered into an agreement with Columbia Sportswear Company to get exclusive distributorship in Poland. The market players speculate that Sportmaster is eyeing promotion of its own chain in that country.
Set up in 1992, today’s Sportmaster is CIS major operator on sporting goods market. Own chain of the company comprises over 80 stores in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Sportmaster has the No. 17 score in Kommersant rating of 50 top retailers. 2004 turnover exceeded $600 million, retail accounted for around $320 million of the amount.
Exclusive distributorship of Sportmaster granted for Columbia's goods in Poland was confirmed by a number of sources familiar with the situation, including Optimum Distribution, former dealer of Columbia in that country. Sportmaster and Columbia declined to comment yesterday.
Sportmaster’s foray in the market of Poland, even as a distributor of the U.S. clothes, will establish a precedent in the history of Russia’s retail. Previously Russian retailers have been eyeing only the CIS market. Still, the Polish agreement of Sportmaster could be well expected. Sportmaster and Columbia have been partners since 1997. Sportmaster’s Ilion wholesaler distributes Columia’s goods in nine countries of the former Soviet Union. Columbia’s goods account from 10 percent to 20 percent of Sportmaster’s sale. Columbia has 40 brand stores in Russia, while in Poland, its goods could be found only in the multi-brand shops.
The experts say Sportmaster will lean on Columbia to step up to the new markets. “It is likely that the Polish exclusive agreement with Columbia could be regarded as preparation for some retail project,” said Roman Zaviryukha, commercial director at Vysshaya Liga chain. However, certain market players say they are unable to catch the meaning of that move made by Sportmaster. “The markets of the Eastern Europe are stagnant, while Russia’s market is growing 20 percent each year,” one of retailers noted.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Apr. 26, 2005
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