Sports Retail Companies in Manchester: 220 Active Firms (2026)
Sports retail companies in Manchester sell outdoor gear, sports equipment, apparel and footwear through stores, ecommerce and wholesale channels across the city region.
Buying centres tend to sit with owner-managers, ecommerce leads and wholesale account teams rather than large procurement functions. The customer base is mostly consumer-facing, but many firms also sell to clubs, schools, gyms, event organisers and independent retailers across the North West. Engagements are practical and product-led: low-to-mid value purchases, seasonal range planning, stock availability, fit and sizing, after-sales service, returns handling and delivery terms often matter as much as brand positioning. Store-led operators carry higher staffing and premises exposure, while ecommerce and wholesale specialists tend to run leaner teams with more emphasis on fulfilment, marketplace operations and supplier relationships.
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Manchester has 220 actively trading sports retail companies, a compact local cohort by consumer-retail standards. Reported employment totals 484 people, suggesting that much of the market is made up of owner-managed shops, small ecommerce teams and lean distributors rather than labour-intensive chains. Only 8 firms record turnover above £5M, so revenue-ranked scale is relatively scarce. Formation activity is still visible, with 50 firms incorporated since 2022, but the commercial centre of gravity appears to be specialist trading businesses serving clubs, enthusiasts and local consumers across Greater Manchester rather than large-format national retail.
Retail licensing is not usually the gating issue for Manchester sports and outdoor sellers. The practical regime is general UK consumer law for goods bought remotely or in person, plus product-safety duties for businesses that make, import, distribute or sell consumer products. Complaints intelligence can move between Trading Standards, the Competition and Markets Authority and sector regulators, while the Office for Product Safety and Standards sits behind national product-safety oversight. Northern Ireland adds a separate EU-derived product-safety layer, which matters for sellers shipping across UK jurisdictions. The Outdoor Industries Association provides a trade-body reference point for outdoor manufacturers, retailers and adjacent organisations.
The cohort appears likely to stay fragmented, with specialist independents using ecommerce, local club relationships and niche product knowledge to defend margins against broader retail competition. Scale-up scarcity may persist because inventory, fulfilment and returns absorb cash before a retailer looks operationally mature. Store-based sellers tend to face wage, rent and stock-risk exposure, while leaner online operators carry visibility and delivery-cost pressures. Consolidation has been more plausible where buyers can combine supplier terms, warehousing and web operations, but the Manchester market still looks shaped by specialist categories rather than a platform model.
What’s in the file
One row per company, 50+ columns — everything below plus each company’s verified directors, from Companies House filings.
Company data
Verified directors — included
220
Active firms
2026
8
Above £5M
turnover
50
New incorporations
since 2022
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Key facts
About 3% of the trading cohort reports turnover above £5M (8 of 220 firms) — the rest sits below that revenue band.
22% of the cohort was incorporated since 2022 (50 firms), so a sizeable share is in its first few filing cycles.
Sports and outdoor retailers are not generally subject to a sector-specific retail licence, so consumer-rights and product-safety duties carry much of the regulatory load.
Consumer rights apply when goods are bought remotely or in person, and complaints intelligence can be shared with Trading Standards, the Competition and Markets Authority and regulators.
Businesses making, importing, distributing or selling consumer products in the UK are responsible for product safety, with the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 requiring goods to be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use.
The UK sports equipment and outdoor gear market is valued at about £11.3 billion, covering online retail, stores, specialist sports shops, wholesale distributors and direct-to-consumer channels.
From 13 December 2024, Regulation (EU) 2023/988 applies in Northern Ireland.
Top Manchester Sports Retail companies
Financial sub-scores
Computed from 3 filingsImports and retails new and used trailer tents and folding campers. Provides sales of camping accessories, spare parts and brochures, and offers servicing, repairs, insurance work and maintenance…
Serves UK consumers and camping enthusiasts looking to buy, finance, sell, service or repair new and used trailer tents and folding campers, plus accessories and spares.
Financial Health
WeakWeak · -6% CAGR over 2y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsSupplies football team kits, training wear and sports equipment through an online store. Offers customisation including badges, sponsor logos, names and numbers, and operates club shop platforms for…
Sells to football teams, sports clubs and schools, plus individual players or parents ordering club-approved kit through online club shops.
Financial Health
WeakWeak
Location
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Financial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsOnline retailer of boxing and MMA equipment, including gloves, punch bags, focus pads, protective gear and training accessories. Also sells fitness and yoga equipment, gym accessories, and selected…
Sells online to UK consumers, including boxing, MMA, fitness and yoga participants, parents buying children’s training gear, and home gym users seeking sports, protection and wellness products.
Financial Health
WeakWeak · -4% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Financial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
HealthyHealthy · 0% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Financial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
HealthyHealthy · 0% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 2 filingsDesigns and sells sportswear and functional base-layer clothing for activities including running, hiking, cycling, skiing and training. Products include jackets, shirts, tights, underwear and…
Serves B2C online shoppers, including women, men and children active in running, hiking, cycling, training, skiing and cross-country skiing, with an emphasis on outdoor and endurance sports consumers.
Financial Health
StableStable · Hiring · 15% CAGR over 1y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsDesigns and sells waterproof outerwear, including raincoats, parkas, winter jackets, and shell jackets for women, men, and children. Offers apparel through an online store featuring seasonal…
Sells directly to consumers, especially women, men and parents buying outerwear for youths and kids. Targets retail shoppers seeking rainwear, parkas, winter jackets and related clothing through its…
Financial Health
HealthyHealthy · Hiring · 41% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsProvides campervan conversion services, transforming vans into custom leisure vehicles. Sells converted campervans and retails campervan parts and accessories, including appliances, electrical…
Serves UK campervan owners, prospective van-life travellers and campervan enthusiasts, plus wholesale/trade buyers looking for leisure-vehicle parts and accessories.
Financial Health
WeakWeak · -2% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsSupplies physiotherapy, Pilates and fitness equipment through an online store, including gym balls, exercise bands and mats, neck pillows and supports, massage and treatment tables, kinesiology tape,…
Sells to physiotherapists, chiropractors, Pilates and fitness instructors, massage therapists and other wellness professionals, alongside consumers seeking sleep, rehabilitation and wellbeing…
Financial Health
DistressedDistressed · -68% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Financial sub-scores
Computed from 2 filingsFinancial Health
DistressedDistressed · 0% CAGR over 1y
Location
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Financial sub-scores
Computed from 2 filingsFinancial Health
StableStable
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
HealthyHealthy · 0% CAGR over 4y
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Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
StableStable · 0% CAGR over 2024y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
DistressedDistressed
Location
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Financial sub-scores
Computed from 3 filingsFinancial Health
WeakWeak
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
DistressedDistressed
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
DistressedDistressed
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Computed from 3 filingsFinancial Health
StrongStrong · Hiring · 100% CAGR over 2y
Location
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Financial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
WeakWeak
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
StableStable
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Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
StrongStrong · Growing · 0% CAGR over 4y
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Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
HealthyHealthy
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Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
WeakWeak
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Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
DistressedDistressed · 0% CAGR over 4y
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Financial Health
N/AN/A
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Financial sub-scores
Computed from 4 filingsFinancial Health
StableStable
Location
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Computed from 3 filingsFinancial Health
WeakWeak · Hiring · 73% CAGR over 2y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsProvides online retail of sports training equipment, footballs, hurdles, speed ladders, barriers and equipment bags, plus trophies and customised clothing for schools, sports clubs and organisations.
Serves schools, sports clubs and community organisations buying sports equipment, teamwear, trophies and branded uniforms, alongside individual customers purchasing fitness and training products…
Financial Health
HealthyHealthy · 0% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 2 filingsFinancial Health
StrongStrong
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsManufactures slate‑bed pool tables for home and commercial use, including traditional, slimline and pool‑dining table models. Produces cue sports tables with various laminate finishes and supplies…
Sells to UK retail customers furnishing home games rooms and dining spaces, alongside trade buyers needing slate-bed pool tables built to commercial or league standards.
Financial Health
StableStable · -18% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 4 filingsDesigns and sells outdoor clothing and equipment, including waterproof and insulated jackets, fleece, shirts, pants, hats, gloves, tents, and sleeping bags for activities such as hiking, camping, and…
Sells direct to consumers, including men and women who camp, hike, ski, snowboard, climb or take part in alpine and expedition activities, as well as outdoor lifestyle shoppers.
Financial Health
WeakWeak · -9% CAGR over 3y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsRetailer of BMX bicycles, parts and accessories through an online store and shop. Sells complete bikes, frames, wheels, tyres, brakes and components, offers custom BMX builds, and stocks skateboards…
Sells primarily to BMX riders and enthusiasts, from children to adults, buying complete bikes, parts and custom builds. Also serves skateboard customers and old school or racing BMX collectors and…
Financial Health
StableStable · -3% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 3 filingsRetailer of bicycles and cycling equipment including mountain, road, gravel, BMX, children's and electric bikes. Sells components, clothing and accessories and operates a workshop providing bicycle…
Serves individual cyclists, from beginners to experienced riders, including mountain bike, road, commuter, gravel, BMX and e-bike customers in the North West and UK online shoppers.
Financial Health
StrongStrong · Growing, Hiring · 10% CAGR over 2y
Location
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Retailer of outdoor clothing, footwear and equipment through physical stores and an e‑commerce site. Sells camping gear, walking boots, climbing and cycling equipment, skis, and branded outdoor…
Sells to consumers, including men, women and children, seeking outdoor clothing, footwear and equipment for hiking, camping, climbing, cycling, running, watersports and skiing.
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsRetailer of snowboarding and skateboarding equipment and apparel through an online store. Sells snowboards, boots, bindings, outerwear, helmets, goggles, skateboard decks, trucks and wheels, plus…
Sells to UK consumers shopping for snowboard, skate, SUP and lifestyle products, including men, women, youth riders and gift-card buyers through an online store and Manchester retail shop.
Financial Health
StableStable · Hiring · 2% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 3 filingsDesigns and sells sportswear, footwear and equipment for rugby, football and other sports through an online store, including boots, balls, protective gear, training clothing, gloves, socks and custom…
Sells online to individual athletes, parents, sports clubs and school teams seeking rugby, football and other multi-sport clothing, footwear, equipment and team kit.
Financial Health
WeakWeak · -4% CAGR over 2y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsRetailer of dancewear, dance shoes and gymnastics leotards, including ballet, tap, jazz and ballroom footwear, leotards, tights, costumes and accessories. Also provides in‑store fitting services for…
Serves individual dancers, gymnasts and parents buying for children, from beginners to adults, with a local retail focus around South Manchester and postal orders by enquiry.
Financial Health
StableStable · Hiring · 7% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 3 filingsProvides golf coaching and instruction through one‑to‑one and beginner lessons, offers custom golf club fitting using launch monitor technology, and operates a pro shop selling golf equipment,…
Serves individual golfers, from beginners to experienced players, including Bramall Park Golf Club members and local Cheshire golf consumers seeking coaching, club fitting and golf retail.
Financial Health
WeakWeak · -9% CAGR over 2y
Location
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Computed from 4 filingsRetailer of outdoor clothing, footwear, and equipment for activities including hiking, skiing, climbing, trail running, travel, and camping. Sells branded technical apparel, accessories, and gear,…
Sells to outdoor and adventure consumers, including hikers, skiers, climbers, trail runners, campers and travellers seeking activity-specific clothing, footwear and equipment.
Financial Health
StableStable · -76% CAGR over 3y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsOperates a cricket retail store and training centre selling bats, pads, gloves, helmets, footwear and other equipment. Also provides indoor net practice facilities and cricket coaching through an…
Targets B2C cricket participants and parents of junior players, plus cricket clubs and teams needing teamwear, across the UK.
Financial Health
HealthyHealthy · Hiring · 11% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 3 filingsDistributes and supplies golf equipment, accessories, and spare parts, including travel covers, launch monitors, rangefinders, grips, putting mats, and golf bags. Operates an online catalogue of golf…
Serves B2B golf retailers and pro shops, with a retail-facing audience of golfers looking for stockists of golf brands, accessories and spare parts.
Financial Health
WeakWeak · 0% CAGR over 2y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsManufactures and distributes awnings for caravans, motorhomes and campervans, including poled, inflatable and roll‑out models. Also supplies camping accessories such as annexes, sunshades, windbreaks…
Sells to consumers who own caravans, motorhomes and camper vehicles, offering products for camping and touring. Serves buyers in the UK, Ireland, Scotland, the rest of the world, and continental…
Financial Health
StableStable · -8% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsDesigns and manufactures paintball equipment including electronic and mechanical markers, loaders, magazines and barrel systems. Supplies spare parts and accessories, and provides technical support,…
Serves paintball players, competitive teams and enthusiasts, alongside B2B paintball dealers, retailers and service centres.
Financial Health
StableStable · 0% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 3 filingsSells caravans, motorhomes, caravan parts and camping accessories through a retail shop and online store. Operates a workshop providing caravan and motorhome servicing, habitation checks, repairs,…
Sells to caravan, motorhome and leisure vehicle owners, campers and DIY repair customers buying accessories, spares, servicing and workshop support online or in-store.
Financial Health
StableStable · -40% CAGR over 2y
Location
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Computed from 3 filingsDesigns and manufactures waterproof insulated rubber boots and wellington footwear for outdoor, equestrian, agricultural and industrial use, including safety and walking boots, using proprietary…
Serves consumers and professional buyers in outdoor, country, equestrian, walking and leisure markets, plus agricultural and construction workers and families buying children’s outdoor footwear…
Financial Health
StableStable · Hiring · 7% CAGR over 2y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
HealthyHealthy · 0% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
DistressedDistressed · 0% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsWholesale distributor of branded sportswear, supplying retailers with products from brands such as Nike, Adidas, Umbro and Puma. Sells football, basketball and running apparel and related items…
Sells B2B to UK and EU sportswear retailers and resellers, including stores specialising in football, basketball and running products.
Financial Health
HealthyHealthy · -5% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsSupplies school uniforms, workwear and teamwear through retail stores and online. Provides customised garments such as leavers hoodies and branded staff clothing, along with personalisation services…
Serves parents and schools in the Wigan, Golborne and Leyland area, plus businesses needing staff workwear and local sports, running, dance and community clubs buying teamwear.
Financial Health
HealthyHealthy · Hiring · 8% CAGR over 4y
Location
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How Manchester Sports Retail companies work and how to sell to them
What they do
Manchester sports retailers usually make money from gross margin on physical goods: footwear, apparel, equipment, accessories and outdoor kit bought from suppliers and resold through shops, ecommerce, wholesale or direct-to-club channels. Some add services around fitting, repairs, personalisation, delivery, returns and team-order administration, but the core economics remain stock turn, supplier terms and markdown control. Pricing is typically ticket-price retail for consumers, negotiated discounting for clubs and schools, and trade pricing for independent resellers or gyms. Engagements are often seasonal, with peaks around school terms, club registration windows, event calendars and weather-sensitive outdoor demand.
Who they sell to
Customer conversations tend to be practical rather than corporate-procurement led. Consumers buy through stores and web shops, while institutional buyers are often club secretaries, coaches, school business managers, PE leads, gym owners, event organisers or independent-retail buyers. Typical contracts range from single-basket purchases to repeat seasonal orders, with larger opportunities tied to teamwear, school supply, gym fit-outs or wholesale replenishment. Sales cycles are short for consumer transactions and longer where committees, school calendars or grant funding are involved. Most routes to market are direct, supported by local relationships, inbound web demand, email, telephone ordering and occasional tender-style buying for public or education customers.
What they buy
Most sports retail firms tend to spend on systems and services that reduce friction between stock, sales channels and fulfilment. Relevant categories include ecommerce software, point-of-sale systems, inventory management, warehouse tools, product information management, payments, accounting, payroll, CRM, customer messaging, returns management and cyber security. Store-led operators also buy card terminals, signage, shopfit services, local marketing, recruitment support, insurance and property services. Ecommerce and wholesale specialists are more likely to buy product photography, search marketing, delivery integrations, packaging, outsourced fulfilment, marketplace administration and analytics. Compliance-led pitches can cover consumer-rights handling, product-safety documentation, age or suitability checks where relevant, and clearer audit trails for returns and complaints.
Why and how to sell to them
Buying intent often appears when a retailer changes channel mix: opening or closing a store, moving warehouse space, adding wholesale accounts, relaunching ecommerce, taking on school or club supply, or trying to cut returns after a busy season. Margin pressure, slow-moving inventory, supplier delays and fulfilment errors make operational savings easier to discuss than abstract digital maturity. Useful outbound angles are specific: fewer stock-outs, better size and variant control, lower payment and shipping leakage, faster customer-service response, cleaner accounts, and lower risk around product-safety and remote-selling obligations. Owner-managed firms may prefer short proof periods, clear implementation effort and pricing that does not assume a large internal operations team.
How this list is built
Data sources
This list is built from UK Companies House filings, XBRL accounts data, and semantic analysis of each company's public website. Revenue and headcount figures come from the most recent filed accounts; where the company has not filed, values are estimated using a model trained on filed history and peer benchmarks and are labelled as estimates.
Classification
Rather than relying solely on SIC codes, Firmbase classifies each company semantically: the company's website is crawled, an AI model reads what the company actually sells, and the company is placed into the relevant industry and subsectors. SIC codes are used as one signal but not the only one. This means a company that registered under a generic SIC code but pivoted into (for example) fintech is correctly identified as fintech, not as its original SIC category.
Freshness
The underlying company data is refreshed from Companies House continuously; filings appear in the list within days of submission. The curated list ordering is regenerated when the underlying data moves meaningfully (company count changes by more than 5%, a new company enters the top-ranked segment, or the filed-revenue numbers for the top firms change). You can see the last-updated timestamp near the top of the page.
Sources
- UK Sports Equipment and Outdoor Gear Market
- The UK Sports Equipment and Outdoor Gear Market is valued at approximately GBP 11.3 billion.
- The UK outdoor recreation sector generated approximately £23 billion recently, reflecting a 12% increase from the previous year.
- The smart sports equipment segment grew by 30%, driven by fitness trackers and smart wearables.
- By type, the market includes fitness equipment, outdoor apparel, camping gear, cycling equipment, team sports equipment and water sports gear.
- Sales channels listed include Online Retail, Brick-and-Mortar Stores, Specialty Sports Shops, Wholesale Distributors and Direct-to-Consumer Brand Stores.
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