Decathlon paper shopping bag

Decathlon is a globally recognized French sporting goods retailer that has revolutionized the sports industry by making high-quality equipment accessible to everyone. Founded in 1976 by Michel Leclercq in Lille, France, the brand started as a single store and has grown into the world's largest sports retailer. The company is unique in its vertically integrated model, where it manages the entire lifecycle of its products—from research and design in its own labs to manufacturing and direct retail distribution through its massive big-box stores.

While the brand is rooted in France, its manufacturing footprint is truly global. Decathlon partners with suppliers in over 45 countries, with significant production hubs in mainland China, Vietnam, India, and Tunisia. The company also operates its own production sites in France, Morocco, Thailand, and China to maintain quality control and innovative standards. As of 2026, the brand remains under the ultimate ownership of the Mulliez and Leclercq families through the Association Familiale Mulliez (AFM), a powerful French holding group that also owns other major retail chains like Auchan.