Decathlon has announced plans to open a new store within Tesco at Douglas Village Shopping Centre in Cork, with the outlet set to welcome customers this summer as part of a new partnership between the two retail brands.
The development will mark Decathlon’s fourth store in Ireland and represents a new approach to retail, combining a dedicated Decathlon space within an existing Tesco store. The concept is designed to offer customers greater convenience by bringing sport and everyday shopping together under one roof.
The new Decathlon store will occupy more than 2,300 square metres on the first floor of the Tesco Douglas location, which is currently undergoing a full redevelopment. Tesco is investing several million euro into the refurbishment, aimed at enhancing the overall shopping experience for customers in Cork.
Once complete, the space will offer a wide range of sporting goods, from entry-level equipment to high-performance gear across activities including running, cycling, swimming, hiking and team sports. The store will also feature specialist products for sports such as padel and rugby, reflecting growing participation trends.
The partnership between Decathlon and Tesco is built around a shared focus on accessibility, value and customer convenience. By locating the sports retailer within a major grocery destination, both companies aim to make it easier for customers to integrate sport and physical activity into their daily lives.
Cork was identified as a key location due to strong local demand and a well-established sporting culture. The region’s mix of outdoor amenities and active communities has long made it an attractive target for Decathlon’s expansion, with customers previously calling for a physical store presence in the county.
In addition to its retail offering, the new store will provide services aligned with modern shopping habits, including Click and Collect for online orders and circular economy initiatives such as Buyback, allowing customers to return used equipment for reuse.
Elena Pecos, CEO of Decathlon UK and Ireland, described the opening as a significant step in the company’s Irish growth strategy.
“At Decathlon, our purpose is to bring people together through sport and make wellbeing accessible for all,” she said. “Cork has such a strong sporting culture and sense of community, and this partnership with Tesco allows us to meet customers where they already shop, making sport more accessible and convenient for families across the region.”
Paul Healy, Retail Operations Director at Tesco Ireland, said the collaboration demonstrates the value of strong retail partnerships.
“By combining two trusted brands under one roof, customers will be able to enjoy Tesco’s food, home and clothing offering alongside Decathlon’s extensive sports range,” he said. “It’s an exciting development for shoppers in Cork.”
Douglas Village Shopping Centre also welcomed the addition, with Head of Property Simon Cooper noting that the partnership aligns with its ambition to remain a vibrant and relevant destination for the local community.
Founded in Lille in 1976, Decathlon now operates in more than 70 countries worldwide. The Cork opening comes as the company approaches its 50th anniversary in 2026 and signals continued investment in the Irish market.
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