Member News | First Decathlon store opened in Klaipėda

The 2,400 sqm store on Baltic Avenue offers sporting goods for a wide range of sports, from paddle boards to tents. 25 new jobs have been created and the employees have already gained experience in the chain’s store in Vilnius.

According to Nicolas Fogola, Decathlon Lietuva’s CEO, the new store in Klaipėda is part of the chain’s strategic development plan. Decathlon is scheduled to open in Kaunas later this year.

“We believe that we are helping even more people in Lithuania to live a healthy, active lifestyle. Sport should be accessible to everyone. That is why our employees, who are active sports enthusiasts themselves, are ready to help each and every visitor to the store,” says the head of Decathlon Lithuania.

To make the choice easier for customers, he says, some products can be tested in dedicated sports areas. This will also be possible in the soft-surfaced basketball court adjacent to the store, which will also host various sporting events.
The shop will also have a workshop offering bicycle repair services. A car park next to Decathlon will accommodate 168 cars, almost double the required retail space.

According to Aurimas Martinkėnas of Galio group, the company that developed the project, the Decathlon building in Klaipėda meets the A+ energy efficiency class and is unique in its appearance in the global chain. At the request of the municipality, Decathlon made a rare exception by using clinker brick inlays in the building’s decoration to harmoniously blend in with the colour and aesthetics of the port city.
The construction of the store was carried out by Baltijos pašvaistė.

The ribbon cutting to mark the opening of the shop took place with Ms Justina Kreivenaite, Store Manager, Nicolas Fogola, CEO Decathlon Baltic and honorary representative, Olivier Criou, Honorary Consul of France in the Klaipeda region and also member of the CCFL.