Reliance Retail to launch a sports brand competing with Decathlon, aiming at 8,000-10,000 sq ft spaces.
Post-Covid, Reliance targets athleisure demand, filling a retailer gap in India's sports market.
Leading sports brands saw 35-60% sales growth since FY21. Decathlon's FY23 revenue reached ₹3,955 crore.
FDI rules impact Decathlon's operations, restricting it from selling rival brands in India.
India's 1.4 billion population drives market growth, making it a lucrative market for sports retailers.