Kiosks in Sports Authority

Interactive kiosks will be introduced and tested in five Sports Authority stores later this year, the result of an enhanced relationship between the Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.-based sporting goods retailer and Global Sports, Inc. (King of Prussia, Pa.), a developer and operator of e-commerce sporting goods businesses.

The two companies announced the enhancement and extension of their existing e-commerce agreement, as well as expansion of their relationship to catalogue and kiosk-related services.

The Sports Authority, the nation's largest full-line sporting goods retailer, said it plans to launch its first catalogue in the fourth quarter of 2001 and will handle designing, printing and mailing of the catalogue, while Global Sports will handle all operational support including fulfillment, customer service and order processing. The catalogue will also include significant promotion of the e-commerce business intended to drive incremental online revenues. The in-store kiosks will presumably tie in to an online catalog.

“In line with our strategy to become a true multi-channel leader,” said Sports Authority chairman and ceo Marty Hanaka, “we have expanded our relationship to also cover catalogue and interactive kiosk operational support. We are committed to service our customers with any product, any time and any way they choose to shop.”

The Sports Authority operates 198 stores in 32 states.