Reports in the German press indicate that the outdoor market there is booming, thanks to warm and sunny weather since January, and that this has led to some shortages. Companies that are producing outdoor boots in Germany, such as Meindl, are reportedly responding to the strong demand through overtime labor.
Conversely, the nearly snow-free winter season has claimed the first casualties in the German trade, at both the retail and wholesale levels. Recently, a major sports retailer in Bavaria, Sport Mantel, filed for insolvency under the German bankruptcy legislation. Mantel operates six stores in Bavaria and Saxony where it is well known for a large offer of winter sports goods.
Just a few days later, an importer dealing mainly with winter items, Sport Product Service (SPS), had to file for bankruptcy as some of its retail clients had failed to pay their bills. Controlled by Peter Drössler, who has imported Elan skis for many years, and by Klaus Weilbacher, a former Intersport buyer, SPS distributes in Germany Fizan poles from Italy and Alpina ski boots from Slovenia. It also licences K2 ice skates and Koflach hiking boots.
