Decathlon aims to double sourcing from India following India EU FTA finalisation

May 29, 2025

Category: General

Country: India

Region: Asia

Currently 6% of the total global sourcing is coming from India, which can move up to 15% in a year.

By Isabelle Crossley
27th May, 2025.

Sports apparel and equipment retail business Decathlon aims to double its sourcing from India following the upcoming finalisation of the free trade agreement between India and the European Union, which is expected to significantly increase India's global competitiveness in the fashion industry.

"Currently 6% of the total global sourcing is coming from India, which can move up to 15% in a year," Decathlon Sports India's chief executive Sankar Chatterjee told ET Bureau. "This is a ballpark figure."

The FTA is currently expected to reach its conclusion in December this year. This could positively impact the wider sporting goods production sector in India, the Economic Times reported.

At present, Decathlon's sourcing from India includes raw materials like yarn and textiles ranging from cotton to synthetic fibres. In the 2025 financial year, 60% of the business' total sourced goods from India in value terms was sourced for exports while the remaining 40% was used for local sales.

"Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Indonesia compete on many products," said Chatterjee. "If you slash the India export duties to 0%, the game will change. Because India's lead time to Europe is much more convenient. And sometimes, when you compare with Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Indonesia, it's 12 days lesser lead time for India."