Brazilian brand of sports clothing and accessories, Five Athletic inaugurated its first physical store last Monday (15) in Ribeirao Preto (SP). The concept space marks a strategic step in the expansion plan of the company, focusing on the development of a franchise network in Brazil, after just over a year and a half of operation in the digital market.
The official opening brought together athletes sponsored by the brand, business partners, press and influencers, reinforcing the positioning of Five Athletic as a brand with a strong presence in the sports segment, with national and international distribution. Modern and designed to provide a complete experience to customers, the store was opened to the public on Wednesday (17) and will operate as a pilot unit for the structuring of the franchise model (read more below).
The story of Five is as bold as its growth. The businessman Leandro Palma, from Bauru (SP), remembers that it all started in 2023 in an unpretentious way, next to his brother-in-law and partner, Bruno Amaral. “I had been playing football for a long time and decided to make some shirts to sell to friends. We started with the face and courage and we did not even imagine that the idea would become something so great”, recalls.
The turn came in an informal conversation with Fernando Santarelli, from Ribeirao Preto, who became interested in the project and entered as a partner-investor.“He brought the necessary professionalization for the business to grow”, says Leandro. It was then that, in May 2024, Five Athletic was officially born, focused, at first, on five modalities: footvolley, beach tennis, beach volleyball, running and fitness (including CrossFit and gym).
The immediate acceptance and gap in the sportswear market with high-tech fabric, especially in the male segment, drove the expansion.For Fernando, the strength of the brand goes beyond the garments.The customization service, which caters to sports lovers inside and outside the country, has also become a competitive differentiator.
“We make customised uniforms for events throughout Brazil and for tournaments in the United States, Portugal and Chile. We produce, for example, the uniforms of the American Footvolley League and the 2024 and 2025 stages of the Orlando Football Cup, a huge” event, explains.In addition, Five Athletic sponsors more than 20 professional athletes in sports such as footvolley, beach tennis, pickleball, volleyball, beach volleyball and running.
With a strong digital presence since its foundation, the brand understands that the physical store represents a new level.“It is a dream realized and the milestone of the beginning of an even bigger project.I am very happy because Fernando believed in this dream with me”, Leandro highlights.
Fernando reinforces the feeling. “It is an immense satisfaction to realize something that began in a coffee conversation. See the size that the project has gained in such a short time shows that we are on the right track. The feedback from customers and partners on the quality of the material, the work developed with athletes and the promotion of sport is always positive”.
The next step ¡n the expansion of the brand through franchises 5 IS already being designed, with advanced negotiations to inaugurate the first unit outside the State of Sao Paulo.“The concept store in Ribeirao will allow us to master all the processes of a physical operation to then replicate the model in other cities”, projects Leandro.
Espresso, the brand's new collection
At the opening event of its first physical store, Five Athletic launched the Espresso collection, designed for those who transform energy into movement every day. Inspired by the intensity of the coffee, the 17 pieces in shades of brown and black translate strength, focus and the natural elegance of the espresso.
Every detail reinforces the proposal of the line: to follow the real fitness routine with comfort, performance and presence. Guided by the slogan “Energia that moves you”, the new collection celebrates the impulse that leads to continue: in training, in life, in the rhythm that is only ours. And also connects to the greater purpose of Five Athletic: “Move easy, live better”.
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The Five Atlhetic concept store is located at Maestro Joaquim Rangel street, 771, Alto da Boa Vista, in Ribeirao Preto. The operation for Christmas sales, from the 17th, is from 9h to 19h.
