Head Spain broke in 2022 the record it set in 2021 for annual sales, which increased by 27 percent from €18.43 to €27 million.
As CEO Jochen Schirmer explained to CMDsport, the most recent full year saw equipment purchases rise in tandem with the practice of sports. Moreover, the end of Covid restrictions provoked a two-year spree on snowsports equipment. The segment’s 2022/23 campaign has seen sales 40 percent higher than in a “normal” pre-pandemic year.
Meanwhile sales for racquet sports and textiles grew by 25 and 30 percent respectively year-on-year. Naturally, racquet sports reign supreme at Head, accounting for 70 percent of sales (snowsports bring in the rest), and the king of them at the moment is pádel.
Indeed, pádel was again breadwinner of the year in Spain, generating three times the revenues of tennis. According to Schirmer, many of Head Spain’s retailers saw a rise in foreign online sales of pádel products, apparently because their distribution was scarce elsewhere.
The boom in snowsports – surprising to Head Spain – was due to the purchases made by ski-rental companies, be they schools or resorts. The present season has been “normal” in Spain and Andorra, despite the shortfalls of snow. The weather has been more cooperative of late, and Schirmer is hoping the season’s end will improve on its start, as ski aficionados are “eager” to hit the slopes.
Schirmer is happy with the results, especially in light of last year’s supply-chain uncertainties. Things appear to be under better control now. Product launches in all segments were proceeding without delays in January.
Still, prudence is the watchword among Head Spain’s retailers. No one is expecting the post-pandemic boom to recur. “Everything is once again more rational,” Schirmer said, and “the playing of sports in general continues in a very good way.” The objective now for Head Spain is less to grow than to retain the growth of the recent past.
A new deal
In other news, Head has secured a two-year extension on its deal to supply the official ball for the Spanish Pádel Federation (FEP). The Head Padel Pro will be bouncing around every FEP-sponsored championship.
In addition, Head will, after seven years, continue to be an official sponsor and figure in FEP communications.
