It’s an exciting time for Lifestyle Sports. Ireland’s largest Sports Retailer will add to their 63 stores in Ireland and Northern Ireland, with a new 6,000 sq. ft retail flagship in Arnotts. Opening in time for the Christmas rush, the store north of the Liffey will pair with their current flagship on Grafton Street, operating dual flagships.

While Sports Direct will open just down the road in the former Boyers site, the Lifestyle Sports ascent shows no signs of slowing. Stafford Holdings, the diversified group which owns Lifestyle Sports are expected to release accounts which show a pre-tax profit that has doubled versus the same period last year.

Stafford Holdings also own Stafford Fuels and Campus Oil. While overall revenue fell in the group, this is believed to pertain to the fall in the price of oil. Group Chairman Vistor Stafford noted that Lifestyle Sports drove much of the group’s growth.

An announcement will be made announcing Lifestyle Sports as the in-store sports concession at Arnotts, the Selfridges owned Department Store, replacing Elverys Sports. The Stafford Family are serious about eyeing up an entry into the English and European market, but plans are not imminent.

It is believed that if the partnership with Arnotts prove successful, Selfridges could be a gateway into British markets, with Lifestyle cementing themselves as premium sports leader and Sports Direct, Mike Ashley’s owned business, as the leader in discount.

Source: http://www.irishtimes.com/business/retail-and-services/life-style-sports-eyes-european-market-as-profits-soar-1.2764941