Decathlon is set to reopen its Melbourne stores this evening with some fanfare, offering customers deals and discounts as well as a free sausage sizzle.
The retailer is set to open its doors from 6pm this evening in line with Victorian COVID restrictions easing, and will celebrate by offering 20% off almost everything in store.
Additionally, the retailer will host a 'Golden Medal Hunt' every hour from 6pm to 8pm, with lucky customers who find the medal receiving 50% off one item.
Decathlon Australia CEO Olivier Robinet welcomed the reopening of the stores.
"We are excited to be reopening to welcome customers back into our stores.
"Even though we have continued to support our customers online and through click-and-collect during lockdown, there is nothing like interacting with our customers in person and giving them the opportunity to see and experience all of our products under one roof.
"We’re fully stocked and ready to celebrate with our customers we have missed so much.
"We will be undertaking a ‘Golden Medal Hunt’ every hour at 6, 7 and 8pm and the lucky customers that find a medal will receive a huge 50% off one item of their choice.
"Every hour, we will be hiding two golden medals in each store.
"All customers have to do is hunt for a medal. Nearly everything in store will be eligible for the 50% discount except a small handful of items," he said.
As is mandated by the Victorian Government, all customers planning to go to the stores must be wearing a mask and need to be fully vaccinated and be able to verify this using the Service Victoria app or by other means.
Customers attending the free sausage sizzle will be subject to the one person per two square metre rule, up to 500 people where staff and customers are fully vaccinated.
Robinet added that it's an ideal time to be reopening as we head into the festive trading period.
"With Christmas around the corner, now is the perfect time to start shopping for the festive season and we have plenty of new wonderful products on display in-store.
"Sport is a key ingredient for good health, good relationships and community engagement and we are excited to be fully back open again and connecting in person as part of the Victorian community.
"Victorians are passionate about sport and so are we," he said.
Decathlon will be operating in accordance with Victorian Government requirements and will be open in Melbourne from 6pm to 9pm.
The stores will host the medal hunts on the following days:
Victoria - 29 to 31 October | NSW - 30 and 31 October
Meanwhile, other retailers are also readying for their reopening in Melbourne this evening.
In a video addressing his team members, Target Australia MD Richard Pearson thanked them for their hard work during the lockdowns.
"I'm so excited to be here at Chadstone.
"We're just hours away from our reopening now for our Victorian customers.
"I'm just so proud of all the work that all our team members have done during lockdown to drive our eCommerce business.
"But we're back in the real game now. We're about to open our shops.
"We're about to welcome our customers back in a very safe way to a huge thank you to everything you've done through the lockdown and good luck for the reopening," he said.
Richard Pearson in his video address to the Target Australia team
The Australian Retailers Association welcomed the reopening of retail for its members.
"Today is the day!
"After months of lockdowns, we are thrilled that our Victorian members can finally welcome customers back in-store from 6pm this evening and get back to what we do best ahead of Christmas... serving and contributing to our communities.
"Thank you Victoria for rolling up your sleeves for the retail community," the ARA said
Meanwhile, Seed Heritage said it is excited to reopen its stores.
"We’ve missed you Melbourne!
"At 6pm we re-open most of our Seed Heritage Melbourne concept, David Jones and Myer stores.
"Select stores will re-open on Saturday.
"We can’t wait to see you instore and share our new arrivals with you.
"We have measures in place for you and our teams in line with the current government guidelines to ensure a safe shopping experience," the business said.