Opposite the Stade de France, this Decathlon store seemed destined to thrive. Opened during the 1998 World Cup, the store was established in Seine-Saint-Denis with the ambition of becoming a showcase for the group. Twenty-seven years later, reality has caught up with this store, which, despite its strategic location, has never found financial stability. The announcement of the closure was made official on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, during a social and economic committee meeting, as revealed by L'Humanité.
The figures speak for themselves: for a quarter of a century, the site has been accumulating deficits. According to our information, losses amount to around €500,000 per year, a hemorrhage that the Mulliez group can no longer afford to ignore. The situation is all the more worrying given that Decathlon, regularly ranked as France's favorite retailer, is going through a difficult period. In 2024, the sports equipment manufacturer reported stagnant sales, despite its status as an official partner of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Paradoxically, most of the competitions took place in the neighboring venue, without this benefiting the store.
Management is now citing a difficult "local socio-economic context" to justify the closure. This argument raises questions, given that Saint-Denis, close to Paris and served by numerous transport links, remains a dynamic area. For residents of the 93 department, this closure is a minor earthquake. The store was part of the local landscape, meeting the needs of amateur athletes and families looking for affordable equipment.
The 39 employees affected by this closure will have to be redeployed to other stores within the group. The CFDT Services union is keepinga close eye on this issue: "We will be extremely vigilant about the redeployment conditions. Our priority is clear: no employee should be forced to lose their job," says the union. The two nearest stores are located in Gennevilliers in the Hauts-de-Seine department and in the 19th arrondissement of Paris. It remains to be seen whether these solutions will suit all employees, particularly in terms of their daily commute.
This announcement comes on the same day as the closure of two Leroy Merlin stores in Paris, another brand owned by the Mulliez group. This is a sign of the difficulties facing the physical retail sector, which is facing competition from e-commerce and changing consumer habits. For Decathlon, 2024 was supposed to be a turning point thanks to its visibility during the Olympic Games. It is clear that the expected effect has not materialized.
The closure is scheduled for the end of June 2026, giving local residents a few months to enjoy one last time this store that has marked the commercial history of Saint-Denis. When contacted by us, the store declined to respond to our requests. Sports enthusiasts in the area will now have to turn to other stores or order online. A page is turning at the foot of the Stade de France, symbol of an era when brick-and-mortar retail seemed unbeatable.
