Dutch sports retailer Runnersworld loses franchisees

By

Shomara Roosblad

Published
Jun 27, 2018

Dutch sports retailer Runnersworld will be losing 11 of its 24 franchisees. The entrepreneurs are set to launch a new retail chain under the name RunX.

According to Dutch newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad, the franchisees argue that the Runnersworld formula does not offer them enough freedom and yields too little in return. The franchisees said that together they make up 43 percent of the sales of the sports retailer.

In addition, the franchisers believe that within the Runnersworld parent company, Euretco, they are not given enough space to distinguish themselves as a sports retailer, specializing in running. After a merger with competitor Intres, Euretco also acquired the sportswear retailer Intersport in 2012, which is a much larger chain, writes the newspaper.

Furthermore, the franchisers of Runnersworld said that, as a result of the acquisition, they can now only stock footwear that Euretco buys for Intersport. One of the franchisees told the newspaper that his branch has to buy and stock footwear that it does not support.

With the launch of RunX, the franchisees aim to operate a chain that is able to handle directly with larger brands, such as Nike and Adidas, who, according to the newspaper, don’t sell to individually operating entrepreneurs.

In May, sportswear retailer Daka Sport announced that it will end its partnership with Intersport as well as Euretco. In June the retailer unveiled its first concept store in Alkmaar, which is a first of a nationwide rollout of Daka Sport concept stores and the result of the retailer’s independence.

More information regarding the launch of RunX is to be announced.