Final decision: Decathlon opens mega branch to Centro!

Final decision: Decathlon opens mega branch to Centro!

In the shadow of the Centro Oberhausen, something big is brewing: The sporting goods giant Decathlon plans to open a new flagship store that could conquer the region in the storm. The branch is expected to be opened on a former steelworks area at the end of 2026 after long -term disputes with neighboring cities could finally be settled. The construction work is scheduled to begin in May 2025, and Decathlon hopes for a sales room of impressive 3,900 square meters, such as Derwesten.de reported.

A court decides on decathlon

The long -planned settlement was not without controversy: the city of Bottrop had filed a lawsuit, concerned about possible negative consequences for local retail. However, the Higher Administrative Court of North Rhine -Westphalia in Münster wiped these concerns aside and decided that the opening of the new location did not expect any harmful effects on the Bottrop city center. This decision is a challenge for many adjacent cities, such as Duisburg and Gelsenkirchen, since they are now faced with an increased competitive pressure, as Wa.de reported.

The anticipation for the opening is great, but the existing retailers are anything but enthusiastic. Sports dealers such as Wolfgang Wonssyld and Reinhard fear that the dominance of Decathlon will significantly tighten the competition. The decision of the court and the upcoming construction work could change the trade landscape in the region sustainably and re-mix the maps in the sporting goods sector.