In the U.K., ski and snowboard boot sales increased by 10 percent and 21 percent, respectively, in the 2013/14 season as compared to 2012/13. According to the Snowsport Industry of Great Britain (SIGB), which has released its trade survey findings, the market is showing positive growth for the first time since 2008. Trading conditions have been difficult, with negative repercussions on sales for all sectors of the snowsports retail environment, especially non-essential leisure items, between 2008 and 2012. The 2013/14 season reversed this negative trend and saw strong growth, especially in the ski and snowboard boots segments. This trend, said SIGB, was seen in both the U.K. and across the rest of the world. The downward trend in ski sales has flattened, with a 4 percent drop in 2013/14 as compared to a 16 percent reduction in 2012/13, suggesting a possible return to growth. In the junior segment, ski boots sales were up 25 percent and snowboard boots grew by 1 percent.

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