Lifestyle Sports
Encyclopedia
Lifestyle Sports is a chain of sports shops in the Republic of Ireland
, Northern Ireland
and the Czech Republic
.
plc but was later demerged via a management buy-out of seven directors, lead by MD Andrew Sharkey, and the venture capital company, ACT.
In November 2005, it was acquired by Stafford Holdings - an Irish family-owned company. At the time, Stafford Holdings said that,
"this latest acquisition is in line with its stated strategy of seeking acquisition opportunities in new sectors which offer strong growth potential, while maintaining a strong commitment to its current portfolio of businesses."
In 2006, former Dunnes Stores
senior director Eoin McGettigan was appointed as CEO. Mark Stafford took up the role of chairman.
In early 2009, Mark Stafford replaced McGettigan as CEO of Lifestyle Sports taking over the day to day running of the company. He was joined by former Nike Ireland General Manager, Nigel Cowman, as Finance Director and Dan Ryan, ex Penneys and Brown Thomas, as Trading Director.
are the main sponsors of the Dublin Marathon
.
In September 2007 a new flagship store opened in the Blanchardstown Retail Park, Dublin. This is currently their largest store, with 21,000 square feet.
In February 2009 the Tullamore shop shut down because a new shopping centre is to be built on the site. This caused controversy as the project still hasn't received full planning permission.
In the current climate, the chain appear to be trading well with 6 new stores opened at the end of 2008 and refurbishments underway in their Mary Street and Tallaght branches amongst others.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
.
History
Lifestyle Sports was established in 1979 in the Republic of Ireland by Quinnsworth, a subsidiary of Associated British Foods. In 1997 it was bought by TescoTesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
plc but was later demerged via a management buy-out of seven directors, lead by MD Andrew Sharkey, and the venture capital company, ACT.
In November 2005, it was acquired by Stafford Holdings - an Irish family-owned company. At the time, Stafford Holdings said that,
"this latest acquisition is in line with its stated strategy of seeking acquisition opportunities in new sectors which offer strong growth potential, while maintaining a strong commitment to its current portfolio of businesses."
In 2006, former Dunnes Stores
Dunnes Stores
Dunnes Stores, also known as Dunnes, is a supermarket and clothing retail chain, that is based in Dublin, Ireland.The chain primarily sells food, clothes and household wares. In addition to its main customer base in Ireland, the chain has operations in Great Britain and Spain...
senior director Eoin McGettigan was appointed as CEO. Mark Stafford took up the role of chairman.
In early 2009, Mark Stafford replaced McGettigan as CEO of Lifestyle Sports taking over the day to day running of the company. He was joined by former Nike Ireland General Manager, Nigel Cowman, as Finance Director and Dan Ryan, ex Penneys and Brown Thomas, as Trading Director.
The company at present
The company has over 70 stores on the island of Ireland, plus more in the Czech Republic. It hopes to expand into mainland UK in the future. It is currently the largest sporting retailer in Ireland, and is a common name to be found in many shopping centres and on many high streets throughout the island. Lifestyle Sports, along with AdidasAdidas
Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
are the main sponsors of the Dublin Marathon
Dublin Marathon
The Dublin Marathon is an annual marathon in Dublin, Ireland, normally held on the last Monday in October, which is a public holiday in Ireland. Held each year since 1980, in 2007 there were about 11,000 race participants, half of whom were from overseas....
.
In September 2007 a new flagship store opened in the Blanchardstown Retail Park, Dublin. This is currently their largest store, with 21,000 square feet.
In February 2009 the Tullamore shop shut down because a new shopping centre is to be built on the site. This caused controversy as the project still hasn't received full planning permission.
In the current climate, the chain appear to be trading well with 6 new stores opened at the end of 2008 and refurbishments underway in their Mary Street and Tallaght branches amongst others.