Decathlon has launched a new subsidiary named Decathlon Pulse as it looks to invest and partner with innovative people and businesses to take it forward in the sports and wellness market.

Barbara Martin Coppola

Barbara Martin Coppola: ‘Decathlon Pulse will be dedicated to finding new growth levers and game-changing innovations’

The sportswear and equipment retailer is launching the fully owned business subsidiary to drive long-term growth and invest in forward-looking businesses and brands.

An independent entity under the business, Decatlon Pulse will build and scale ideas to create standalone new businesses, invest in innovative people and concepts, and acquire strong and forward-looking sports brands.

The retailer has appointed Franck Vigo as the chief executive of Decathlon Pulse while Decathlon global chief executive Barbara Martin Coppola will serve as its chair to ensure it complements Decathlon’s core activities.

Martin Coppola said: “We are thrilled to launch Decathlon Pulse. This marks a significant milestone in our journey to better serving the sporting needs of the customers of tomorrow. Decathlon Pulse is a separate entity but will be complementary to the Decathlon core [business] as they work towards the same purpose to ‘Move People Through the Wonders of Sport’. Decathlon Pulse will be dedicated to finding new growth levers and game-changing innovations in the sports market. I can’t wait to see what the team achieves in the future.”

Vigo added: “Today marks an exciting new journey for us as we launch Decathlon Pulse, driven by a passion for sport and a singular vision to continuously enhance our impact on people’s lives. We believe the best way to do so is to build long-term relationships with game-changing companies and people, in which we invest while maintaining their full autonomy to create a better sports industry.”