JD Sports parent takes 80% of e-tail giant Deporvillage

The ISRG group, which comprises JD Sports, Sprinter and Sport Zone, has announced the acquisition of an 80% stake in Deporvillage, S.L. (subject to approval by the Portuguese Competition Authority).

Coming swiftly on the back of Germany’s Signa Sports United going to IPO with a buyout of WiggleCRC, this news creates yet another online sporting goods giant, now believed to be the largest in the Iberian Peninsula. Similarly, BD-Capital just took out a large stake in SportPursuit.

Since its launch in Spain in 2010, Deporvillage has fulfilled orders to more than 100 countries. In the financial year ending 31 December 2020, the firm generated revenues of 117.8 million euros and posted pre-tax profits of 7.7 million euros. On 31 December 2020, gross assets were 51.1 million euros.

“Deporvillage has a strong consumer focus and is the market leader in its categories in Spain, with significant potential for further international development. Here at ISRG, we extend a very warm welcome to the Deporvillage team,” said Peter Cowgill, the Executive Chairman of JD Sports.

With this latest acquisition, the ISRG group expects to exceed 900 million euros in turnover, employ over 9,000 people and make a strong international impact encompassing more than 60 sporting disciplines and 1,000 brands.

“Our integration into ISRG represents a new milestone for Deporvillage. This has been a very important step for us through which we hope to bring our digital knowledge to the group and, at the same time, take advantage of the capacities and opportunities that belonging to a group led by JD Sports opens up to us,” added Xavier Pladellorens, CEO of Deporvillage.

The transaction was financially advised by Arcano and legally advised by Cuatrecasas representing the vendor and by KWM for the purchaser.

“We welcome Deporvillage to the Group, with the confidence that its excellent team will bring their capabilities and results to our project to offer European consumers the best multi-brand and omni channel sports equipment shopping experience on the market,” concludes Miguel Mota – Iberian Sports Retail Group Managing Director.