Sports superstore Decathlon hands Paratus Communications UK account

Paratus, which also manages PR accounts for retailers Costa Coffee, Sainsbury’s and B&Q ,won the account after a competitive pitch. There was no incumbent for the UK account.

Paratus co-founder John Rivett said: ‘They want us to use our retail PR expertise to increase footfall in their stores and of course make them more money. The plan is for them to expand in the UK and build more sites because at the moment they are better known abroad.'

Decathlon, founded in France in 1976, currently operates nine stores in the UK and boasts more than 500 stores worldwide.

Rivett added: ‘We’ve already visited stores and engaged store managers to promote locally. We’re also planning to do some national coverage with Decathlon’s MD Steve Dykes and advise on the company’s social and digital strategy.’