Centauro
Grupo SBF · Brazil
Centauro is a Brazilian sporting goods retailer founded in Belo Horizonte in 1981 by Sebastião Bomfim Filho. It sells sports footwear, apparel and equipment through more than 230 stores and online.
| Founded | 1981 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Sebastião Bomfim Filho |
| First store | Belo Horizonte |
| Stores | More than 230 |
| Group | Grupo SBF |
| Website | centauro.com.br |
What is Centauro?
Centauro is a Brazilian sporting goods retail chain and the core business of Grupo SBF, which is listed under the ticker SBFG3. It sells sports footwear, apparel and equipment from leading sports brands.
History
The first store opened on 1 April 1981 in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, founded by Sebastião Bomfim Filho. Because the budget ran out before the façade was finished, the shop opened with a temporary sign made from hospital canvas. The chain then expanded across Minas Gerais and into Rio de Janeiro, Brasília and São Paulo. Megastores opened in the late 1990s drove further growth, and the company reportedly grew around 23 percent a year for a decade.
Products and positioning
Footwear is central to the offer: the founder has said the chain sells a pair of trainers or football boots every two seconds in Brazil.
- Running and lifestyle sneakers
- Football boots and team sports gear
- Sports apparel and equipment
Distribution
Centauro operates more than 230 stores and employs over 11,000 people, alongside its e-commerce site.
Why it matters
As Brazil's best-known sporting goods chain, Centauro is a key gateway for international sportswear brands into the Brazilian consumer market.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Centauro?
Centauro was founded by Sebastião Bomfim Filho, who opened the first store in Belo Horizonte in 1981.
What does Centauro sell?
Centauro sells sports footwear, apparel and equipment, with a strong focus on sneakers and football boots.