Free bags and gift vouchers are on offer to the first customers next Friday and Saturday at Decathlon’s new store within Ikea off the Purley Way.
Opening event: Decathlon’s new store within Ikea Purley Way has special events planned for April 24 and 25
Decathlon is trialling some retail “co-habiting”, as previously reported by Inside Croydon, giving up their own, bespoke Purley Way premises to snuggle in with Ikea.
The new store is almost ready to open on April 24, with customer giveaways and activities for all ages also planned for Saturday, April 25.
Doors open at 11am on Friday April 24, where the first 100 customers through the doors will receive a Quechua NH100 10L backpack and a £20 gift voucher “to kickstart their next adventure”. According to the small print, a membership account will be required to qualify for the goodies, though you can sign up on the day.
The momentum continues on Saturday April 25, with the first 100 shoppers also receiving a free Quechua bag. Again a Decathlon membership account is required to receive the inducements.
On the Saturday, “the storefront will be transformed into a mini sporting playground designed for the whole family to get involved”, according to Decathlon.
This will include a climbing wall, face painting and live DJs (as opposed to dead ones) “to bring the energy”.
Decathlon say: “Shoppers will be able to test their skills in various sporting challenges for big prizes and instant rewards via a ‘Spin to Win’ wheel… with Decathlon gear up for grabs.”
Decathlon’s 1,188sqm store is, they say, “a dedicated space for everyone from seasoned athletes to families getting the kids ready for their first football match”.
Decathlon says that they offer hiking, cycling, running and swimming ranges of kit, with more than 5,000 products on sale. “Having Decathlon and Ikea in one location makes it easy to get the sport and home shopping done in one go.”
Decathlon also offers a Buy Back initiative, allowing customers to trade in pre-loved gear for store credit. There is also a Click and Collect service available at the new store.
Founded in Lille, France, in 1976 – the year Bruce Jenner won the Olympic decathlon – the company opened its first store in Britain in Surrey Docks in 1999. Now operating in more than 70 countries, in Decathlon’s 50th anniversary year, the new Croydon store “represents the company’s continued commitment to retail innovation”, they say.
“We’ve been looking forward to this day, and after a true team effort, we can’t wait to finally jump into action alongside our neighbours at Ikea,” said Monica Cedres, Decathlon UK’s London director.
“This partnership is all about making an active lifestyle as easy as a trip to Ikea. Whether you’re looking for technical help with a PB or just grabbing your home and sport essentials in one go, we’re ready to help south London discover the joy of being active together.”
Decathlon’s new store’s opening hours will be 10am to 7pm Mondays to Saturdays (opening at 11am on April 24) and 11am to 5pm on Sundays, at Valley Retail Park, Purley Way, Croydon CR0 4UZ. Look for the Ikea chimneys, you can’t miss them…
PAID ADS: To advertise your services or products to our 10,000 weekday visitors to the site, as featured on Google News Showcase, email us inside.croydon@btinternet.com for our unbeatable ad rates
- If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, or want to publicise your residents’ association or business, or if you have a local event to promote, please email us with full details at inside.croydon@btinternet.com
As featured on Google News Showcase
- Our comments section on every report provides all readers with an immediate “right of reply” on all our content. Our comments policy can be read by clicking here
ROTTEN BOROUGH AWARDS: In January 2026, Croydon was named among the country’s rottenest boroughs for an EIGHTH time in nine years, in Private Eye magazine’s annual round-up of civic cock-ups
- Inside Croydon is a member of the Independent Community News Network
