This year Rockley staff will be kitted out in Decathlon’s signature Watersports brand, Tribord. The style, quality and colour have all received the team’s seal of approval. Decathlon has also developed designated Rockley pages on their website offering affordable, quality clothing and products for three significant areas of Rockley’s business – Education, UK watersports & training and France activity trips.
1976 - the magic number!
Founded in the same year as Rockley – 1976, Decathlon’s founder Michel Leclerq established its first store in Lille, France and later launched its first UK store in Surrey Quays in 1999. The brand currently has 44 stores in the UK including one in Branksome, Poole and a growing global presence with stores across 46 countries.
As a lover of all sports and a regular shopper of the store, Managing Director Pip Woods spoke of her excitement of the partnership; “It’s absolutely wonderful that we have the opportunity to work with such a highly regarded retailer as Decathlon. Their mission – ‘to make sport accessible to as many people as we can’ very much epitomizes our very own aim which is to make sailing and water activities accessible to all. The brand, like Rockley, is all about encouraging others to enjoy a healthy lifestyle, embrace the outdoors and have fun which is why we are really looking forward to a long relationship with them.”
Staff are at the core of any good business
As well as being passionate about inspiring others to participate in sport, Decathlon is very much a company that values its staff. Pip continued; “As a family run business, staff really are our most valuable asset – they are at the very core of what we do. As well as being a dedicated and passionate group of individuals, they come with a wealth of experience which we aim to pass on to every one of our customers. To work with a company that shares these values is absolutely great.”
The similarities do not stop there. Year on year Rockley continues to look at ways to improve the delivery and quality of its existing products as well as looking at ways of diversifying the business. Decathlon also strives for quality and growth through the expansion of its brands' signatures as well as the ambition to open further stores globally. You could almost say that it’s a perfect fit!
Decathlon & Rockley Watersports Festival Day at Poole Park
On the 6th July Rockley will be hosting a Watersports Festival Day with Decathlon who will be bringing down a range of equipment and clothing for you to try– please come down and check it out. Follow our social media channels for further details.