Sports Direct in Antipodean tie-up with MySale

Sporting goods chain Sports Direct is to launch in Australia and New Zealand after forming a partnership with MySale, the online retailer backed by Sir Philip Green.

Sports Direct, controlled by Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley, plans to open three stores in Australia and one in New Zealand, as well as launching a website operated by MySale’s OzSale arm.

Chief executive Dave Forsey said: “It will be great to enter these markets, where sport is a way of life. I have been really impressed by the team at MySale and look forward to working with them.”

Jamie Jackson, MySale’s founder and executive vice chairman added: “Sports Direct showed its confidence in our business when it took a 4.8 per cent stake in us a month ago, shortly after our successful initial public offering. This partnership is the logical next step in the development of our relationship.”