The Sports retail business is in rude good health here with Elverys and Lifestyle both pushing ahead with expansion and renewal of their estate.
The third major player Sports Direct has also been producing strong returns but has fallen fouls of a damning report on work practices in the UK which is forcing it to become a better employer.
Zero Hours contracts which give little or no commitment to minimum hours at the same time as demanding massive flexibility are to be phased out for workers alongside other changes in work practices at some of the company’s major warehousing and retail operations.
It’s corporate governance is in the spotlight as well with the company’s AGM today likely to see pressure on the board to step down.
Sports Direct came close to buying Elverys in 2014 before the company came through in a management buy out.
It is though the official sports retail partner of the FAI who will be watching events closely to ensure that they are not impacted by any negative blowback emerging from the Mike Ashley founded and controlled business.
