£92m Yorkshire based online sports retailer appoints local PR agency to support growth

International premium online running shoes, running clothing, and outdoor gear retailer SportsShoes.com has appointed Brand8 PR following a “competitive pitch process”.

The Leeds agency is providing Shipley based SportsShoes.com with public relations, content, social media, and search consultancy in relation to its corporate, business-to-business and trade audiences.

Last year, SportsShoes.com announced an annual increase in sales of 37 per cent to a record £92.2m and its EBITDA before non-recurring costs rose 118 per cent to £12.2m during the same period.

Established in 1982, SportShoes.com offers customers more than 17,000 products from 150 global running and outdoor brands. From a running perspective these include Asics, Nike, Adidas, Hoka, and New Balance whilst in terms of outdoor they include Haglöfs, Mammut, and Rab.

SportsShoes.com managing director, Brett Bannister, said: “We appointed Brand8 PR due to the agency’s strong corporate communications credentials and successful experience of working with online retailers.

“We have ambitious national and international growth plans for our business, so it was essential for us to find a partner able to support us in achieving both our commercial and ESG objectives. The Brand8 PR team have already shown their capability and we look forward to further developing our relationship with them.”

Brand8 PR managing director, Rob Smith, added: “SportsShoes.com is a highly successful, purpose-led business. From its commitment to sustainability to the nationwide running and community initiatives it supports and delivers, it is a retailer with a distinct difference.

“Brett and his senior management team have a clear vision of where they want to take the business and we are excited to have the opportunity to play our part in helping them deliver it.”

Founded in 2010, Brand8 PR’s clients include online bathroom retailer Victoria Plum; housebuilder Avant Homes; industrial developer and asset manager Chancerygate; law firm Gordons; and Norway-headquartered global sustainable technology company TOMRA.

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