Michel Leclercq & family

About Michel Leclercq & family

Michel Leclercq set up a small sporting goods store called Decathlon in 1976.

It's now one of the world's largest athletic retailers with more than $16.5 billion in sales from more than 1,700 stores in 60 countries.

Leclercq is cousin of Gerard Mulliez, the patriarch of the famed French retail dynasty behind Auchan department stores.

Leclerq and his immediate family own approximately 40% of the company; the extended Mulliez family own about 40% as well.