France’s vigorous action sports market was worth €806 million after VAT in 2007, according to NPD Group, which uses a special definition for this hybrid product category. Within this segment, action sports apparel generated sales of €426 million in the 12 months ended last June, representing 15 percent of the total sports apparel market. This includes €258 million worth of technical clothing, €163 million worth of beachwear and €55 million for winter clothing.
The definition used by NPD includes all types of beachwear except performance swimwear, snowboard-specific clothing and all other garments sold by eight major surf brands – Quiksilver, O’Neill, Oxbow, Rip Curl, etc. – and the two private brands of Décathlon in the sector, Tribord and Wed’ze.
