Sports Experts Inc. is a major Canadian sports-retailer franchise primarily located in Quebec. It is part of FGL Sports (formerly The Forzani Group), itself part of the Canadian Tire group.
 | |
| Industry | Retail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1967 |
Area served | Canada |
| Owner | Canadian Tire |
| Parent | Provigo (1981–1994) FGL Sports (1994–present) |
| Website | sportsexperts.ca |
History
editSports Experts was founded in 1967.[1] It was purchased by Provigo in December 1980.[2]
On February 5, 1985, Sports Experts, which at the time had 108 locations across Quebec and The Maritimes, merged with Toronto-based Collegiate Arlington Sports, a sporting-goods chain of 44 stores in Quebec, Manitoba, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.[3] The merger went in effect in April 1985 and the combined company took on the name Sports Experts Inc.[3] The Arlington locations initially continued under their namesake but had all been converted to the Sports Experts banner by 1986.[4]
In 1994, Provigo sold Sports Experts to the Forzani Group.[1] The Forzani Group has since been acquired by Canadian Tire in 2011.[1]
As of 2021, the largest Sports Experts store is located at the Laurier Quebec shopping mall in Quebec City.[5]
See also
edit- Sport Chek, the Western Canada and Ontario sister brand to Sports Experts
- Intersport, a sister store to Sports Experts in Canada, Canadian licensee of the international marque
References
edit- ^ a b c "Our history".
- ^ "Sports Experts set to digest its plum acquisition". Montreal Gazette. Montreal. 27 May 1981. p. 59.
- ^ a b "Provigo to control sporting-goods chain". Montreal Gazette. Montreal. February 2, 1985. p. D1.
- ^ "Sports Experts advertisement". Montreal Gazette. Montreal. April 2, 1986. p. B6.
- ^ Toneguzzi, Mario (November 11, 2021). "Groupe Boucher Opens Canada's Largest Sports Store in Quebec City [Interview/Photos]".