The global market for sports hardware rose by 6.5 percent in terms of U.S. dollars at wholesale to $65.7 billion in 2002, according to an annual survey by SGI, driven by the double-digit increases scored by Accell Group, Giant, Shimano and other important suppliers of cycling products and firearms. Rising steadily after the 9.1 percent decline it had suffered in 2009, the sports equipment market has thus returned to pre-recession levels.
Actually, the market grew somewhat faster than by 6.5 percent in terms of local currencies, as the euro fell by 8 percent against the dollar last year. Our estimates are based mainly on public reports and input from the management regarding the revenues of the major companies, excluding footwear and apparel. The figures are converted to dollars at the average exchange rate calculated by the OECD for the year.
With a 10.8 percent sales increase, Shimano consolidated its leadership in the sector, ahead of Jarden Corporation, and Adidas Group overtook Amer Sports as the third-largest player in the market, thanks to the outstanding performance of TaylorMade. Golf and other sports equipment sales grew briskly also at Nike, but their cumulated growth of 16.3 percent was insufficient for the Swoosh to overtake Oakley.
Acushnet and Callaway performed less well in the golf market. The results of various fitness equipment companies such as Icon Health & Fitness and Nautilus indicate a recovery in this market. On the other hand, Amer Sports and Jarden suffered from a poor ski market at the wholesale level. For the financial year ended on March 31, 2013, Rossignol recorded a sales decline in dollars but was actually flat outside the U.S. in terms of euros.
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