Decathlon Wins Prestigious Outdoor Retailer Innovation Award
ecathlon, the world’s largest sporting goods retailer, is proud to announce that it is a recipient of the coveted Outdoor Retailer Innovation Award 2021 for its 2 Second Easy Tent — a groundbreaking, state-of-the-art, easy-to-pitch tent designed to make the outdoors more accessible to everyone. A product over fifteen years in the making, the 2 Second Easy Tent features a compact design and patented setup and breakdown system that makes setting up camp easier than ever.
The 2 Second dream began on a backcountry trip in 2003, when the product manager of Decathlon’s hiking and camping brand, Quechua, was challenged with the idea of a tent that could “assemble itself.” The team got to work, and in 2004, Decathlon revolutionized the camping market with the first-of-its-kind 2 Second Tent, which literally pitched itself. The 2 Second Easy is a further innovation that allows for a more compact design, with an easier breakdown, while incorporating key features, including simple setup, wind resistance and waterproofing.
“Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at Decathlon, and it’s an honor to be recognized for a value that’s been at the core of our business since 1976,” said Michel d'Humières, CEO of Decathlon USA. “We innovate with an ultimate goal of accessibility, which shows up in convenience, sustainability and affordability. The 2 Second Easy Tent is a shining example of all we strive to accomplish across our brands.”
“As a brand that’s still new to the US market, we are especially honored to receive this award from Outdoor Retailer, the pre-eminent outdoor sports show in the United States,” said Fabien Marescaux, product manager of Decathlon’s camping and hiking brand, Quechua. “With the 2 Second Easy Tent, we aimed to completely rethink how a tent operates, making it easier - and ultimately more accessible - for people to camp and get outdoors. Many years went into creating the foundational 2 Second technology, and this award inspires us to keep innovating to see what more is possible with it.”
The 2 Second Easy Tent was put through the paces by Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards judges, who evaluated 34 finalist products and services based on four criteria: Spark: concept, design, appeal; Desire: opportunity, differentiation; Function: innovation, functionality, insight; and Impact: cultural, environmental, business.
