#DecathlonIndia #MakeInIndia #Decathlon25Years #SustainableManufacturing #LocalSourcing #SportsInnovation #MadeInIndia #Jobs2030 #AtmanirbharBharat
Celebrates 25 years of production in India; aims to generate over 300,000 jobs by 2030 as it scales up domestic sourcing and manufacturing
Chandigarh — Global sports retail giant Decathlon has announced a major expansion of its “Make in India” strategy as it celebrates 25 years of production in the country. In a significant move that underscores its long-term commitment to India, Decathlon revealed plans to scale its local sourcing to $3 billion by 2030. This move aims to transform India into one of its top global production hubs and a cornerstone of its worldwide supply chain.
India currently contributes around 8% of Decathlon’s global sourcing, and the company is targeting to increase this to 15% over the next five years. This growth will be anchored by a strong push in high-potential categories, including footwear, fitness equipment, and technical textiles—segments where India’s manufacturing capabilities are increasingly competitive on a global scale.
A Quarter Century of Building in India
Speaking on the company’s 25-year production milestone, Sankar Chatterjee, Chief Executive Officer, Decathlon India, emphasized the pivotal role local manufacturing has played in Decathlon’s success story in India.
“Over the last 25 years, our production journey in India has been the backbone of Decathlon’s success in the country. The high quality, reliability, and agility of our local production ecosystem have directly enabled our strong retail expansion — from city centres to malls and beyond,” he said.
He further added that the company’s Made in India offerings are increasingly meeting the evolving needs of Indian sports users. As Decathlon continues to grow across omni-channel platforms, production excellence remains at the heart of its growth strategy, empowering both sustainable operations and increased access to sport across India.
Targeting 90% Made-in-India Products by 2030
In 2025, more than 70% of the products sold by Decathlon in India are already manufactured locally. This figure is set to climb to 90% by 2030, highlighting a deliberate and strategic emphasis on domestic production—not just for Indian consumers but for global markets as well.
The production strategy is supported by a robust and scalable ecosystem that includes:
-
113 manufacturing sites
-
83 suppliers
-
7 production offices
-
A dedicated Design Centre focused on affordability and innovation
This infrastructure is enabling Decathlon to develop products tailored to Indian needs, such as cricket equipment and yoga gear—both fully designed and manufactured in India. These categories are seen as critical for capturing local sentiment while also offering export potential.
Creating Over 300,000 Jobs in the Production Ecosystem
A major social and economic impact of this expansion plan is Decathlon’s goal of generating more than 300,000 direct and indirect job opportunities in India by 2030. These jobs will span the entire production and supply chain spectrum—from raw materials and components to finished goods and logistics.
Frederic Merlevede, Head of Decathlon Production, commented:
“India has evolved into a cornerstone of Decathlon’s global production ecosystem — not just in terms of scale, but in its ability to deliver quality, innovation, and speed. Our long-term investment in India reflects the deep trust we’ve built with our partners and the strong potential we see in key categories.”
The company is also making concerted efforts to future-proof its supply chain by investing in sustainable manufacturing practices, localized innovation, and digitized production processes.
Strong Local Partnerships and Distributed Ecosystem
Deepak D’Souza, Head of Decathlon India Production, noted that Decathlon’s success is rooted in strong partnerships with local suppliers and a distributed manufacturing ecosystem.
“Celebrating 25 years of production in India is a proud moment for us. Our journey has been shaped by close collaboration with our partners and the strength of our people on the ground — from technicians to factory teams — who drive excellence every day.”
He added that the company’s future strategy will focus on accelerating innovation, advancing sustainability, and driving smarter production systems to continue building world-class products in India, for India and beyond.
Retail and Category Expansion: Reaching More Cities
Decathlon’s growth is not limited to manufacturing. The brand currently operates 132 stores across 55 Indian cities, and plans to expand its retail footprint to over 90 cities by 2030. This expansion will be guided by a category-led growth strategy, where local production will closely align with consumer demand across different regions and demographics.
By aligning its manufacturing capabilities with retail and category strategies, Decathlon aims to offer faster turnaround times, greater product customization, and improved accessibility to sport products across India’s diverse market.
Conclusion: A Future Built in India
Decathlon’s renewed focus on scaling up production in India marks a critical moment in the country’s manufacturing journey. It reinforces the narrative of India not just as a growing market, but also as a strategic global manufacturing hub.
With long-term investment, strong supplier networks, job creation, and product innovation, Decathlon is poised to make India a global benchmark for quality, affordable, and sustainable sports equipment manufacturing.
This initiative aligns with India’s broader economic goals under Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, positioning the country as a global leader in sports innovation and manufacturing excellence.
#DecathlonIndia #MakeInIndia #Decathlon25Years #SustainableManufacturing #LocalSourcing #SportsInnovation #MadeInIndia #Jobs2030 #AtmanirbharBharat #RetailGrowth #FootwearManufacturing #FitnessEquipmentIndia
