November 2009
GCW client Lab Sport is taking advantage of the UK’s decade of sport with ambitious plans to expand its sports store concept.
Set up three years ago, Lab Sport is targeting fitness and exercise fans who want a store offering in-depth, knowledgeable advice on what sports clothing and footwear to buy for their specific needs.
The retailer carries all the main sports brands such as Puma, Speedo and Adidas as well as specialist sports brands such as Canterbury. Lab Sport establishes links with the sporting community when it opens new stores such as its tie up with Derby County Football Club in Derby and London Irish Rugby Club at its Kingston store.
The concept is working well and is a popular element of a tenant mix. Five stores are already open with three more in Aberdeen, Manchester and Cardiff due to open before the end of the year.
Lab Sport’s longer term aim is for 35 stores by 2012, mainly in large centres and typical stores are 3 to 3,500 sq ft of trading space.