Decathlon Partners With Cisco Meraki for Global Network Scalability

Decathlon deploys Cisco Meraki's cloud-networking across 1,700+ stores in 80 countries to support IoT and real-time inventory systems.

In a major move that blends sports innovation with network technology, global sporting goods retailer Decathlon has completed a massive deployment of Cisco Meraki's cloud-based networking infrastructure across all 1,700+ stores worldwide. This is not just a routine technology upgrade; it is the backbone supporting Decathlon's ambitious digital transformation, enabling everything from real-time inventory tracking to in-store IoT sensors and seamless customer experiences across 80+ countries. The implementation, which was finalized last week, represents one of the largest retail networking deployments of 2025 and specifically addresses the challenge of managing diverse technology environments across international markets. Decathlon's Global CIO, Marie Dupont, emphasized that "Our partnership with Cisco Meraki allows us to innovate at the pace of sports while maintaining operational excellence across every market we serve."

The technical implementation is particularly impressive given Decathlon's scale. The Meraki infrastructure provides centralized cloud management of thousands of wireless access points, switches, and security appliances across all locations, giving Decathlon's IT team single-pane visibility into their global network operations. The system handles massive data flows from in-store IoT devices including inventory RFID trackers, equipment sensors, and customer traffic pattern analyzers all while maintaining PCI compliance for payment processing. Perhaps most importantly, the network automatically optimizes bandwidth allocation based on store activities, prioritizing point-of-sale systems during peak hours while still supporting digital signage and customer WiFi needs.

For startups and founders in the retail technology space, this deployment signals where large-scale retail is heading. Decathlon's investment demonstrates that enterprise retailers are prioritizing flexible, cloud-managed infrastructure that can support increasingly sophisticated in-store technology. As the founder of retail IoT startup noted, "When a giant like Decathlon makes this level of network investment, it validates the entire ecosystem of connected retail technologies that require robust infrastructure." This creates opportunities for startups developing inventory management systems, customer analytics platforms, and in-store experiences that leverage this type of network capability. For founders, the lesson is clear: enterprise retailers are building the infrastructure to support innovation, creating massive opportunities for startups that can deliver specialized solutions on top of these modern networks.