The French sports footwear market grew by only 0.3 percent in 2006 to €1.7 billion, according to NPD Group. Volumes increased by 2.6 percent to 41.6 million pairs, but the average price per pair continued to decline to €40.7. More than one out of two pairs was bought in the context of a sales promotion, and the number of units priced over €100 a pair sold to the French public fell by 14 percent.
NPD’s extensive audit of the market also shows that the revenues generated by technical sports shoes increased by 5 percent, while the more leisure-oriented styles suffered a decrease of 0.5 percent. It also shows that sales of women’s shoes declined, falling by 6.3 percent in value due to a strong 7 percent drop in the average price per pair, while sales of men’s and children’s sports shoes went up by 2.8 and 8.3 percent, respectively.
Analyzing a different domain, NPD says French retail sales of fitness, aerobic and dance clothing have been increasing at an annual rate of 4 percent since 2003 to reach €85 million last year. This segment is the biggest one for women’s sports clothing in most European countries except in France, where skis and snowboard clothing, outdoor clothing and swimwear generate higher revenues.
On the other hand, the overall tennis market declined slightly in France last year to a level of around €300 million, broken down into €87 million for technical tennis shoes, €34 million for tennis-inspired shoes, €90-100 million for tennis clothing and €75 million for tennis racquets and balls. The estimate for tennis clothing includes polo shirts like those of Lacoste. Sales of fashion-oriented tennis products have apparently grown, without offsetting a 4 percent decline for technical products.
