Nike enters into partnership to increase stores
Valor Econômico 05/08/2009
Two giants of the sports universe have just entered into a partnership. American Nike and Brazilian SBF group, owner of the Centauro retail chain, entered into a ten-year agreement for the expansion of the Nike Stores in the country. With the partnership, the SBF group starts managing a fourth brand, since it also has the By Tennis and Almax chains in its portfolio, besides Centauro. Nike, on its turn, will increase the presence of its own stores all over the country. Today, its 10 units are concentrated in the Southeastern and Southern regions. Within two or three months, a point of sale of the Nike Store will be opened in Manaus and another one in Rio. The forecast is that six stores should be opened by means of this partnership this year.
As verified by Valor, the investment in the new stores in the first five years of the agreement should get to nearly R$ 100 million (US$ 45.5 million). The two companies informed they cannot make comments on the amount invested. SBF will be responsible for all costs of the commercial point, such as rent, taxes, payroll and the purchase of the products. On its turn, Nike provides the employees with training, development of exclusive products and the layout of the stores. "It is an unprecedented partnership. It is the first time in the entire world that Nike closes an agreement for the opening of stores with one single operator for such a long time", affirmed Cristian Corsi, CEO of Nike do Brasil. Until now, Nike used to work with isolated partners. The current 10 stores are managed by five different operators. Besides the six units to be inaugurated with SBF, Nike will open another four ones with other operators in 2009, due to agreements closed earlier. From now on, the expansion of the chain will be an exclusiveness of SBF. In total, the American company will have another 10 stores in operation this year, doubling the number of Nike Store units to 20.