Foot Locker 2007 Annual Report Download - page 12

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10
INTERNATIONAL STORE OPERATIONS
The Company has a long history of operating successfully in inter-
national markets, currently with 731 Foot Locker stores in Europe,
Canada and Australia, and 37 Champs Sports stores in Canada.
The Company has a long history of operating
successfully in international markets, beginning
with the opening of its fi rst Foot Locker store
in Canada in 1977. Today, the Company oper-
ates 731 Foot Locker stores in Europe, Canada
and Australia, and 37 Champs Sports stores in
Canada. Additionally, 10 Foot Locker stores are
being operated by third parties in the Middle East
and Korea, under two separate franchising agree-
ments.
Foot Locker, Inc.’s international businesses are
managed from a headquarters offi ce strategically
located in each region. By employing a local
management team, operating facility and distri-
bution center, the Company enhances its ability
to operate in each international market effi ciently.
Europe
Foot Locker, Inc.’s European business is a key
source of sales and profi ts for the Company. Foot
Locker is one of the largest athletic retailers in
Europe and the one with the largest presence in
terms of operating stores in multiple countries
across the continent. At year-end, the Company
operated 509 stores in 17 countries in Europe,
with a high concentration in France, Germany,
Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.
The typical European Foot Locker store is
situated in either a street or mall-based prime
location that has high visibility and is heavily
traffi cked, and is somewhat smaller in size than
the Company’s United States-based stores. The
stores are positioned as a “house of brands”
specializing in selling unique, premium athletic
footwear and apparel to a fashion-conscious
consumer.
Canada
The expansion of the Company’s Foot Locker
format into Canada was accelerated during the
1980’s. Following the successful positioning of
Foot Locker in the Canadian market, the Com-
pany began to open Champs Sports stores in this
country, starting in 1988. At year-end 2007, the
Company operated 167 stores in Canada, 130 of
which are Foot Locker stores and 37 are Champs
Sports stores, primarily located in a mall shopping
environment.
Asia/Pacifi c
Foot Locker, Inc.’s expansion into the Asia/Pacifi c
region began in 1989 with the Company’s fi rst
Foot Locker store opening in Australia. Since that
time, the Company’s store base in Australia has
grown to 77 stores, with an additional 15 stores
opened in New Zealand during the past several
years. A large percentage of the Foot Locker
stores in this region are located in major metro-
politan areas.