France's sporting goods market has resisted the general economic slowdown better than other consumer goods sectors. According to the latest data by NPD Group, sales of sports shoes and sports-inspired footwear grew by 1 percent in value year-on-year in the first six months of this year, while those of active wear and sports-inspired clothing rose by 3 percent, in contrast with declines of 4 percent for the whole textile and clothing sector and 4 percent for toys. The growth in volume was probably around 2 percent lower, considering general inflation trends. Within the sports shoe segment, the consumption of running shoes went up by 5 percent, whereas the market for football shoes went down by 10 percent. Men's shoes drove the growth for all types of sports footwear. In sports apparel, consumption was driven by a two-digit growth for trousers and underwear, as well as by the good end-of-season performance of the skiwear segment.

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