Cisalfa Group Appointed Nicola Lazzari as COO
The retail firm announced the appointment of Nicola Lazzari to oversee logistics, operations, and digitalization.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in People
Cisalfa Group has appointed Nicola Lazzari as its new chief operating officer. Lazzari will report to general manager Boris Zanoletti to lead the company's organizational transformation and growth strategy.
Why it matters
This executive appointment comes as the sporting goods retailer seeks to modernize its operational processes and scale its business following a strong fiscal performance in 2025.
Cisalfa Group reported a €1.1 billion turnover in 2025 with an 11% EBITDA. The firm currently manages 280 brands across 240 stores in Italy and Germany with a total workforce of 5,300 employees.
The players
Nicola Lazzari
He is the newly appointed chief operating officer of Cisalfa Group with 20 years of professional experience.
Boris Zanoletti
He serves as the general manager of Cisalfa Group to whom the new COO reports.
Mancini family
They are the owners of the Cisalfa Group who have overseen the company's expansion since 1977.
The details
Lazzari, who brings two decades of professional experience to the role, will manage demand planning, logistics flows, and process innovation. His appointment is part of an ongoing effort to enhance the company's digital capabilities and organizational structure.
Timeline
Cisalfa Group was founded in 1977.
The Mancini brothers acquired Goggi Sport in 1994.
Lazzari moved to 3T Cycling in 2012.
The group closed the 2025 fiscal year with a turnover of €1.1 billion.
The appointment of Nicola Lazzari was announced on October 5, 2026.
Market Landscape
This move aligns with a broader industry trend of physical retailers integrating advanced logistics and demand planning to remain competitive against e-commerce incumbents. By centralizing operations under a new COO, Cisalfa aims to optimize its cross-border footprint in Germany and Italy.
For the one million members of the Cisalfa Pro loyalty program, this leadership shift aims to streamline inventory availability and improve service consistency across the company's 240 stores. Customers can expect potential changes in how demand planning affects product stock and digital shopping convenience in the coming year.
The takeaway
The appointment of a dedicated COO highlights the increasing pressure on large-scale brick-and-mortar retailers to modernize their backend operations. Companies managing hundreds of brands and stores must prioritize digitalization to maintain profitability and operational efficiency.
Further reading
For more on industry leadership changes, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by FashionNetwork.
