MUMBAI
Since its inception in 1963, Champion Sports, has today expanded to five stores. Renuka Deshpande traces its history
When it comes to sports shops in the city, those who have grown up here would foremost think of this one name—Champion Sports. Catering to the sports goods and sportswear needs of Punekars since 1963, this enterprise, which started off with one shop on Fergusson College Road, is now spread across the city, having expanded to five stores.
The enterprise was started by three brothers, Subhash, Ashok and Vivek Madan, after they bifurcated from their ancestral sports shop, Kukreja and Company. Vivek says, “When we started out, my brothers and I were young, and capital was less. But being sportsmen ourselves, we had good contact with sportsmen and strengthened our relationship with sports associations over time.”
He adds “From the outset, we have laid more emphasis on tennis and badminton gear. Cricket continues to be perennial favourite, so cricket gear has also sold well over the years. Our clients mostly include sportspersons, besides regular folk.”
Business grew quickly, and around 1969, the trio also introduced sportswear in their shop. The response for it was phenomenal, and in 1991, they launched Champion Sportswear, off Fergusson College Road. Also in the 1990s, when awareness about the need for helmets grew and people increasingly sought to buy them, Champion Sports diversified their product range to include these.
The decade was a period of rapid growth for the enterprise, as the fitness revolution started making headways in the country, and an increasing number of youngsters actively took to sports. About seven to eight years ago, Champion Sports also launched Champion Fitness Mantra, a shop for exercise equipment.
With the growing popularity of sports and the fitness craze came greater competition and more international players in the market, who launched multiple outlets in the city. So how have they managed to stay in the business and expand amid this fierce competition? “Customer satisfaction has been our biggest strength. We have never advertised. Our customers’ faith in us has kept us growing and sustaining in the business,” says Vivek.
“As far as brand outlets are concerned, their clientele includes sportsmen and regular folks. Our clientele mostly comprises sportspersons, since we house niche products. We also house international brands, so people can compare different brands under one roof, instead of going outlet-hopping. That is another strong point that works in our favour,” he adds. Besides this, customers can exchange goods at Champion Sports, or return them and get their cash back—something that is very rare in the city. “Within six months of buying products from our shop, if a customer wants to return them for whatever reason, we accept them, no questions asked. We also replace them immediately on the counter, if someone is not happy with what they bought. We debate the problem with the manufacturer, never with the customer,” says Vivek.
Now, the enterprise has three shops on and off Fergusson College Road—Champion Fitness Mantra, Champion Sportswear and Champion Sports. It also has two outlets in Aundh. Vivek’s sons Amit and Rajesh and Subhash’s son Neil have also joined the trio in the business.
“We are now six people looking after our family business. We are very happy that we have continued growing together, since family businesses often witness broken partnerships. Our journey of 48 years has been great. We have three generations of customers coming to us for sports goods. We are planning on launching two more outlets by 2012, one in Koregaon Park and the other in Hadapsar, so we can continue serving our customers across the city,” he says.
BCCI announces India's squad for Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Mohammed Shami misses out
Kalki 2898 AD: Prabhas' epic blockbuster will be re-releasing on big screen, but there's a catch
Viral Video: Man finds cobra inside sofa pillow, leaves internet shivering, watch
'BJP orchestrated this...': Arvind Kejriwal attacked during 'Pad yatra' in Delhi, alleges AAP
First time in 23 years! India register embarrassing record in Pune Test vs New Zealand
David Warner's lifetime captaincy ban lifted six years after ball-tampering scandal, set to lead....
Ratan Tata gave Shantanu Naidu personal loan for studying MBA in Cornell University of Rs...
Meet man, who leads R 150000 crore business, but drives Rs 6 lakh car, doesn't own phone, he is...
Anant Ambani's MIL and Radhika Merchant's mother buys luxury flat for Rs 20.76 crore in...
Aishwarya Rai didn't name herself but gave title of 'most beautiful women' to Abhishek Bachchan's...
Delhi police arrests seven Bishnoi gang shooters, huge quantity of arms recovered
PM Modi and Chancellor Scholz strengthen India-Germany ties, announce visa reforms by...
How can India qualify for WTC Final if they face defeat in 2nd Test against New Zealand?
Watch: Orry steals the show in cow costume as B-Town celebs begin Halloween festivities
Who do IAS officers Tina Dabi, Anudeep Durishetty, Srushti Deshmukh, Pari Bishnoi, others report to?
BRICS unveils symbolic banknote to challenge dollar dominance
'If I don't say...': Here's what Mukesh Ambani was 'instructed' to tell NVIDIA CEO by Nita Ambani
Meet Pune's richest man who owns Rs 750 crore home, has net worth of over Rs 204300 crore, he is...
IRCTC tour package to Andaman starts from Rs 57,230 for 6 days; check all details here
Google Doodle on KK: Self-taught singer sang at hotels before winning the National Award for…
IND vs NZ: Yashasvi Jaiswal makes history in Pune, becomes youngest Indian cricketer to...
World's richest man's net worth jumps to Rs 22724431845000 due to...
Dhanteras 2024: When is Dhantrayodashi? Know date, shubh muhurat, significance
MAMI 2024: Here's why The Room Next Door, A Fly on The Wall stood out at film festival
Youngest Indian student represents India on most iconic international tech platform
PAK vs ENG test: Saud Shakeel near century as Pakistan still trails by 80 runs
Diwali, Chhath Puja 2024: Vande Bharat trains for people travelling home; check route, fare, timings
This restaurant owner refuses to serve food vlogger, says 'Main tum logo se…', watch viral video
PM Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meet, exchange views on defence, trade, clean energy
Meet Indian who is first female CFO of HSBC in 160 years, not from IIT, IIM, she is from...
IND vs NZ 2nd Test: Team India's flop show continues, all out for 156, NZ lead by 103 runs
Need for a nuanced approach and realistic expectations from BRICS+
Ranbir Kapoor doesn't even gossip, says Alia Bhatt in viral video; Sonakshi, Nargis think otherwise
India, China pull back troops; begin disengagement in Demchok, Depaang in eastern Ladakh
Meet Prashanth Rajendran: The product leader who's making big data safer for millions
Gulmarg terror attack: Security forces launch combing operation along LoC
The impact of studying abroad on career prospects for Indian students
Delhi water shortage: No water supply for 12 hours TODAY, check affected areas and advisory
Maharashtra election: Baba Siddique's son Zeeshan Siddique joins Ajit Pawar's NCP to contest from...
Centre asks Meta, X to share data again after over 80 flights get fresh bomb threats
Indian woman on Reddit worries if her name would cause issues in Germany, it is...
IMD update: Severe cyclone Dana begins landfall on Odisha coast, expected to continue till...
Delhi Air Pollution Update: Air quality improves to 'moderate' category, AQI drops to 283
Ratan Tata's final project: A four-storey centre, made at cost of Rs 165 crore, it is....
Viral video: Two women dance to Tamannaah Bhatia’s 'Aaj Ki Raat' burns internet, watch
Meet woman, one of world's youngest CEOs, designed her first website at 6, now runs...
Manu Bhaker opts for master's degree after Olympic medal win, says, 'Life is an...'