Luck of the Irish

Foot Locker Inc. (New York) has purchased 11 stores in Ireland from the Champion Sports Group Limited. The transaction, which was effected through a wholly owned Foot Locker subsidiary, will allow the specialty athletic retailer to operate these stores under the Foot Locker brand.

“We are very pleased with this transaction and to open Foot Locker stores in the Republic of Ireland,” said Matthew Serra, Foot Locker chairman and ceo. “The annual sales of these acquired stores are expected to be in line with the average of the company's other stores that operate in Europe.”

The acquired stores are located mainly in Dublin in highly trafficked areas that average approximately 4,000 square feet. Including this acquisition, Foot Locker expects to operate approximately 485 stores in 14 countries throughout Europe by the end of the year.

Foot Locker has approximately 4,000 athletic retail stores in 17 countries in North America, Europe and Australia under the Foot Locker, Footaction, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker and Champs Sports nameplates.

Champion Sports Group Limited has 13 remaining stores that it will continue to operate in high- profile areas.