EuroSport set to expand

By Ray Abdilla

EuroSport Ltd, the sportswear company based in Birkirkrara, is to expand its operations in a project which could see it become one of the best equipped mega-sports complexes in the Mediterranean.

An application for a new eight-storey building project, which will be based next to the company’s premises, is to be studied by the Planning Authority, while another project in Attard is also under consideration.

EuroSport plans to diversify its retail business with more sports items related to different disciplines such as waterpolo, hockey, shooting and boxing. The aim is to ensure clients can find whatever they want in one building.

EuroSport was established in September 1994 when its first products were limited to sport/fitness materials and equipment imported from the Far East. But after making progress in these lines, the company expanded its field and in November 1994 began importing sportswear and footwear produced by Mizuno Corporation of Japan. Concurrently with this, Michele Peresso Ltd also acquired the exclusive rights for Adidas of Germany, which is recognised as being one of the two top sports brands in the world.

The expansion of the company necessitated the allocation of space for shops and showroom in its buildings in Psaila Street, Birkirkara. In 1995/96 further space had to be provided in line with further expansion during which time the company obtained exclusive rights to handle table tennis equipment from Donic GmbH of Germany, darts from Unicorn of the United Kingdom as well as tennis balls from Penn. The company has exclusive rights for tennis rackets from Head of Austria and heart rate meters from Polar of Finland. All this besides a big variety of sports wear and equipment imported from several other firms.

In 1997 EuroSport began to stock casual and sports wear from Kappa of Italy, which necessitated the further extension of shopping area. This also gave scope to the company to stock the full product range of all the suppliers of the company.

In 1998 the company invested further and allocated more space for a total of 1000sq meters. During the same year the company started a chain of franchise shops in Malta and Gozo.

Also during that year EuroSport was appointed sole exclusive distributors for Salmon products in particular Trecking & Adventure shoes together with hardware.

Michele Peresso Ltd also started importing Skechers Footwear, US brand manufactures of trendy and modern shoes and sandals both for men and women including children.

The company wanted to allocate a spacious area to exhibit for sale Technical apparel including football gears, shorts, accessories, basketball wear, athletic wear, club replicas and other specialized equipment. Hence a further 500 square meters of retail space was allocated in December 1999 to making EuroSport of B’Kara by far the largest sports shop in Malta & Gozo – 2200 square meters, even very well comparable with any other sports shop in Europe.

Year 2000 meant further new ventures and investments for the company. It was decided that a restructuring programme was needed to cope with further challenges, with the result that the company took the decision to reduce certain outlets operating as franchises and open its own retail outlets.

New shops can be found in Valletta, Bay Street and Paola.