Decathlon, the single-stop shop for sports goods, fitness equipment and sports accessories, has launched their second store in Calcutta (their third in Bengal) much to the delight of fitness enthusiasts. The three-level outlet boasts of a combined area of 1,250sqm and has a total of 50 sections dedicated to different sports. Located in the heart of the city, this store is near to the Maidan and stadiums, giving it a “connect” with all sports lovers. Along with sports and fitness products, the store also has a repair workshop for its cycles/cardio equipment/roller skates and more. There’s a playing section, too, where people can play cricket, football, and also skate around.

Decathlon is heading the eco-friendly way with its offerings. Currently, 18 per cent of the products are eco-friendly, and it plans to go totally eco-friendly in the coming years. Eco-design consists of taking the environment into account from the first design stages and throughout the entire product’s life cycle. In practical terms, it’s about thinking how to make it possible to reduce its impact on the environment during its lifespan. Over 52 per cent of products sold by Decathlon are made in India.

Decathlon is also working with Jungle Crows and Terra Indica to provide vocational training and employment to underprivileged children by training them to get National Skill Development Certificates and find gainful employment. Five of the graduates from this programme will be working in Decathlon’s Shakespeare Sarani outlet as well. t2 walked around the store and checked out some very interesting products:

The new Decathlon store building is a green one, symbolising the eco-friendly drive of the brand that uses processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout the structure’s life cycle. The building has a gold rating by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), which is a part of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Cycling has caught on in a big way in Calcutta, especially after the pandemic, be it for fitness reasons or transport. The range at Decathlon starts from Rs 5,000 and goes up to Rs 25,000.

This Cross-Trainer priced at Rs 34,999 is self-powered. The body motion brings about the machine’s motion, and the electromagnet in combination with the elliptical’s flywheel allows one to vary the resistance in the workout sessions.

French consul general Virginie Corteval graced the store launch on July 23.

“The passion for sports in Calcutta, East and the North-Eastern part of India is very evident and it is also visible in international sporting events like the Olympics. We are very excited to now have our presence at Shakespeare Sarani, which is not only at the centre of the city but also very close to the Maidan, which symbolises this passion. The pandemic has also increased the awareness of health and fitness among people. We at Decathlon are very proud to be able to contribute to this growing need for fitness and sports products. The opening of our new store in Calcutta is one more step in fulfilling this need,” said Kuldeep Das, regional manager, Calcutta and east.

This Pop-Up Tent can work wonders when you go trekking. Not only is it super light, it can be folded down to the size of a bag. These come for a starting price of Rs 2,999.

With this expandable Roll Net priced at Rs 799, convert any surface/table to practise your smashes.

Swimmers with spectacles can use these special goggles as they come with customised powered lenses (starting at Rs 299) and cool frames (from Rs 599).

Feeling bored? Catch up with a friend over a game of Speedball/Turnball. This one at Decathlon is priced at Rs 1,999.

Thrill seekers can try out this Waveboard, which is catching on amongst the youth. Priced at Rs 2,999, many believe this could rival the skateboarding scene.

Pictures: B. Halder

More about the sports goods shop

What: Decathlon

Where: The Unimark Asian, 52/1, Shakespeare Sarani

Timings:11am to 7pm