Activewear chain Independent Sports has signed a license agreement with Intersport International Corporation, which will see all Independent Sports shops rebranded to Intersport over the next four years.
Independent Sports CEO Kevin O'Hanlon said the contract was the result of two years worth of confidential negotiations, with the deal commencing on July 1, 2014.
“We will now be able to offer even better value to our customers and counter online sales from overseas retailers whose only weapon so far has been price due to regional wholesale differences,” he said.
Intersport Group has 5400 stores across five continents.
Independent Sports operates 70 stores run by 40 owners, with an annual turnover of $130 million.
“Despite the general gloom witnessed recently in Australian retail, we have focused on how to improve the position of our member stores.
"We have developed and delivered a winning strategy for our membership, and the next few years will be challenging and exciting as we establish a new marque in the Australian sporting scene,” O’Hanlon said.