Decathlon has officially opened the doors to its new store at Ikea Croydon, a first-of-its-kind retail partnership between the two global brands.
Local hero: former Ireland and Palace striker Clinton Morrison was on hand at Decathlon’s new Ikea store this morning
And former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison was in attendance to ensure that the opening was right on target.
Also present was £86,000 per year Jason Perry, Croydon’s supposedly “executive” Mayor reduced once again to the kind of ribbon-cutting duties that are supposed to be the domain of the Town Hall’s ceremonial mayor (who gets paid £28,000 a year for doing this sort of shit).
Perry may have shown up because he heard there were some goodies being handed out. Part-time Perry loves a goody bag…
Decathlon is trialling some retail “co-habiting”, as previously reported by Inside Croydon, having given up their own, bespoke Purley Way premises to snuggle in with Ikea.
Decathlon say that the opening was attended by “hundreds” of customers, with the first 100 through the doors receiving a backpack and a £20 gift voucher. “Celebrations will now continue throughout opening weekend,” Decathlon says.
On target: Clinton Morrison
“On Saturday, the storefront will transform into a community sports playground, featuring a mobile climbing wall, live DJs…”, instead of, presumably, dead ones, as well as “…free face-painting and interactive sporting challenges for families, with prizes up for grabs throughout the day.”
And former Ireland international footballer Morrison offered: “I’m sure this store is going to be a hit with the local area.”
Decathlon’s new store is at Ikea Valley Retail Park, Purley Way CR0 4UZ (look out for the yellow and blue chimneys).
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 10am to 7pm; Sunday: 11am to 5pm.
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I bet that more people who turned up for the Decathlon opening in a corner of Ikea wanted to talk to Clinton Morrison than to Piss-Poor who, as you say, was just there to get a goody bag ?!
Where’s the synergy here? A cheap household goods store in a tie up with a sportswear outfit! What next – a cheese shop selling chalks? A vegan retailer selling meat?