The European market for outdoor* sports was in “better shape than the total European sports’ market”. This was revealed by a study by market research firm the NPD Group, released before the start of the European outdoor trade show which begins on the 16th of July in Germany.

In 2008 the European outdoor market totaled €14.1 billion. The NPD Group estimated its growth at 1% from 2007, however, by excluding snowsports the market figure stayed steady at 0% growth. This is a worse result than last year when the market saw a 3% increase, even without snowsports.

The “world of snow” market is estimated, for 2008, at €3.5 billion, forming part of the aforementioned turnover figure of €14.1 billion.

With a total growth figure of 1% though, the outdoor market in Europe performed better than the total sports and sportswear market, as it did last year, which shrank by 1% in 2008 in Europe.

* The European outdoor market is defined by a geographic perimeter which includes 36 countries. It includes equipment, only that which is sold by sports retailers, shoes and sports’ textiles wherever they may be sold. In terms of brands, it includes the turnover of brands which are legitimately centered on the outdoors (Timberland, Jack Wolfskin, The North Face, Quechua, Aigle, Eider…). As for products, the outdoors turnover consolidates sales of clothing and shoes destined for outdoor sporting use and sales from big generalist brands such as Adidas, Reebok or Nike. Summer roller sports are excluded, whilst trail-running, outdoor cycling and paragliding are counted as is parachuting.

By Jonathan Fulwell (Source: Sarah Ahssen)