In 2015, French consumers bought overall about three million down jackets, and 80 percent of them were not used for skiing purposes. Excluding down jackets, ski clothing represented a turnover of €250 million and its consumption registered a 5 percent decline from the previous year.
According to NPD Group, which released these figures, the decline for ski clothing was mainly due to the relative absence of Russian clients in early winter, although this was partly offset by the return of the French middle classes and English tourists.
Ski jackets accounted for 40 percent of sales, followed by trousers and ski suits at about 13 percent each, and underwear at about 5 percent. Accessories such as socks, hats, gloves and mittens collectively accounted for around 29 percent of sales.
Men's ski wear accounted for 42 percent of sales, followed by women's ski wear at 36 percent and children's at 22 percent. NDP analysts observed this is a much more even distribution than in other sports, where men dominate to a greater degree.
Prices grew slightly, with sales at more than €100 accounting for 66 percent of total sales as compared to 62 percent in 2014.
