Sports Direct — From high street to higher purpose
Equal through sport
Equal through sport
For 30 years, Sports Direct has been known as the go-to for low-cost sports gear. But whilst the business was doing well, the brand was not. Together with Sports Direct, we created an elevation strategy to reposition the brand from high street ‘value’ player to empowerment champion.
To do it, we unlocked a deeper purpose – to use the power of sport to champion the legend in everyone. The previous focus on low-cost was transformed into an obsession with accessibility. Because no matter your budget, ambition or body, sport is a right for everyone.
From expression to in-store experience to staff sentiment, the new Sports Direct is bold, authentic and disruptive. It begins in the ‘equaliser’ mark – a powerful statement of intent, that can proudly sit alongside the Nike swoosh and Adidas three stripes.
The brand lives across campaigns – like 2020’s ‘Come Back Better’, which empowered kids to return to school after Covid and led to a remarkable 11% uplift in YOY sales – as well as an elevated in-store experience, designed in collaboration with Nike and Adidas across hundreds of stores.
Web traffic is up by YOY, with conversions up by a remarkable 22%.
Instagram reach has increased.
Most importantly, brand perception is improving – with a 5% drop in people believing Sports Direct is ‘cheap’.
Through ongoing collaboration and a commitment to elevation, we continue to move the brand forward. For the first time in 30 years, the Sports Direct brand is more than a mug – it’s an ongoing promise to make people feel confident and empowered, whatever their goal, budget or ability.
