Amersfoort, 6 January 2025 – Pieter-Bas Stehmann has been appointed Managing Director of EK Sport, one of the business units of the European retail service organization EK Retail. As of 5 January, he will lead the largest cooperation of sports retailers in the Netherlands.
Before making the move, Stehmann served as Managing Director of the Dutch Bedding Company (DBC International). Since May 2018, he was responsible for the international strategic direction of all brands and played a key role in the significant growth of the leading bedding manufacturer. Prior to that, he held various management positions in the sports and fashion industry, focusing on strategic management, marketing, purchasing, and sales. Across Europe and Asia, he gained extensive experience in senior roles at international companies such as Levi’s/Dockers, Columbia Sportswear, Mexx and Miss Etam.
The appointment to the now-vacant top position within the business unit underscores the importance that EK’s management places on the positioning of EK Sport. “Themes such as sports, exercise, and health are becoming increasingly important for consumers. We are convinced that the open-minded approach, innovative strength, and clearly results-oriented management style of Pieter‑Bas Stehmann will significantly boost the development of the business unit. We look forward to a successful collaboration,” says Gertjo Janssen, Chief Retail Officer at EK Retail.
Combining his extensive international experience with the motivated and knowledgeable Business Unit Sport team in Amersfoort forms a strong basis for further strategic development and additional market penetration of the strong concepts represented by EK Sport: Intersport, Runnersworld, and the affiliated sports retailers operating individually in the market.
About EK Sport
EK Sport is a leading sports division with concepts such as INTERSPORT and Runnersworld. Since 1978, EK Sport has been supporting independent entrepreneurs in successfully running their businesses with strong brands, competitive purchasing, and extensive support. With more than 150 affiliated sports stores, EK Sport is the largest cooperation of sports retailers in the Netherlands.
About EK Retail
EK Retail supports around 3,800 independent entrepreneurs with approximately 7,500 points of sale across various European countries. In the Dutch market, the company operates divisions including EK Fashion, EK Sport, EK Living, EK DIY, and EK Books. EK Netherlands, known as Euretco until 2022, works with approximately 1,500 independent entrepreneurs and franchisees who together operate nearly 2,200 stores. Around 250 employees work at EK Netherlands.
