Intersport lifts Austrian sales to record €690 million

Intersport increased its sales in Austria by 6 percent to a record €690 million in the 2025-26 financial year, driven mainly by its ski and bicycle businesses, ORF reported. The sports retailer group, based in Wels, also said its earnings rose but did not disclose figures.

Online sales grew by more than a third, chief executive Franz Koll said. Intersport employs around 3,600 people in Austria and operates 280 stores nationwide, including 10 in the greater Vienna area.

Koll said he would not support Sunday opening in general but would welcome it in tourist destinations, including Vienna. He made the remarks at the company’s annual press conference in Vienna on Tuesday.

In April, Intersport took over the Intersport Slovenia group. The expanded Intersport Austria group now has more than 500 locations in 12 countries and group sales of about €1 billion. Within the global Intersport network, it is now the third-largest group, behind France and Germany.

Koll said the group’s increased size strengthened its purchasing power and private-label business, helping it negotiate better terms with manufacturers and ease pressure on margins. The company does not currently plan to raise prices, he said.

Intersport is also considering some Hervis locations following the sale of the retailer’s owner, Spar, to German entrepreneur Sven Voth. Koll said the company was reviewing several locations in Slovenia and Croatia as well as individual opportunities in Austria, but no takeovers had been agreed.

Koll said Intersport remained strongly dependent on weather conditions for its winter business. Sales in that segment rose 11 percent last winter, when conditions were favourable. Bicycle sales also performed strongly, increasing 7 percent in spring. More than half of the bicycles sold were electric models. The company also reported a boost from team sports linked to the football World Cup.