The Swiss sporting goods retailers association, ASMAS, predicted at the recent Swisspo trade show in Zurich that sales of all kinds of winter products would end up 20 percent higher than in the previous year for the 2007/08 selling season. Safe snow conditions at the end of 2007 and during the high season in February generated much movement in the winter sports regions and higher demand for snow sports equipment.
There was an increase in turnover for all types of products. Accessories, like helmets, protectors and goggles, had an increase of more than 20 percent. Other products such as alpine skis, snowboards, ski boots, ski apparel, rental and services generated 15-20 percent more revenues for Swiss retailers. ASMAS cautions that the good figures were the reflection of a very bad 2006/07 season. The results for 2007/08 are only 3 percent above the average value of the last five years.
The summer sports business in 2007 was satisfactory, too, showing an increase of 5 percent in comparison with 2006. Apparel sales grew by 8 percent. The next best score was reached by outdoor shoes with an increase of 7 percent. Tennis rackets and inline skates remained on the levels of 2006.
According to ASMAS’ calculations, Swiss sporting goods specialty retailers have an estimated annual turnover of 2 billion Swiss francs (approx. €1.28 billion), and this figure was up by 3 percent overall in 2007. If other distribution channels are added (department stores, DIY markets, fashion, bicycle shops etc.), the market volume is estimated to be as large as 2.7 billion CHF (approx. €1.72 billion).
