Brussels, 17th July 2023
The Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI) has completed its annual market research of sell-in data for ski products, providing a comprehensive evaluation of the ski market’s evolution. FESI, representing 25 leading ski brands in Europe and globally, collects and anonymizes this data to present the most up-to-date reliable and precise market insights available on the market.
“The March 2022 – March 2023 season analysis carried out by FESI, encompassing volumes of alpine skis, ski boots, bindings, touring skis, and Nordic skis sold to distributors and retailers, brings forth several key findings, indicating positive trends and promising outlook for the ski industry”, stated René Harrer from Head and Chairman of the Winter Sport Taskforce at FESI. “The recovery of the ski industry to pre-COVID sales levels, despite various challenges, reflects the resilience and adaptability of both businesses and consumers. This positive outlook bodes well for the future of the ski market”.
COVID recovery
In fact, despite a mild and dry winter season and an expectedly flat Russian market, the ski industry has shown strong signs of recovery. The analysis indicates that 3.672.962 pairs of Alpine skis were sold this season. This is almost the exact same amount as the pre-COVID 2019-2020 season which was a very good one for the industry. The ski market has returned to pre-COVID sales levels, with overstock becoming less of an issue. This recovery is an encouraging sign for the future of the industry.
Alpine Ski Products Lead the way
Alpine Skis, bindings, and ski boots have emerged as the “star” products, driving market growth with an average increase of 20% to 35%. The strong performance of these products supported by a full reopening of ski resorts and slopes, as well as solid growth in the traditional markets of Germany, Austria, Italy, France, and Switzerland demonstrates the enduring popularity of alpine skiing among consumers.
Touring Sector
A slight slowdown in the touring sector is to be noted due to a certain drop in “newcomers” to off-piste trails when resorts and prepared slopes reopened after COVID. Nonetheless, the touring segment remains an essential and healthy part of the ski market, catering to adventurous skiers seeking off-piste experiences and backcountry exploration provided this is happening in a safe manner.
Nordic Ski Segment
The data reveals a net decline in the Nordic ski segment due to insufficient snowfall in some regions this season. However, this setback does not diminish the long-term potential of the Nordic ski market, which remains an integral part of the winter sports industry unless climate change accelerates the increased snow line.
In conclusion, after several difficult seasons in a row, FESI annual ski market data for 2023 finally reveals a steadfast resilience within the ski market, with both seasoned enthusiasts and new participants embracing winter sports with fervor. FESI’s commitment to collecting sell-in data from member companies ensures the availability of reliable market share information. This data empowers industry stakeholders to make informed decisions, plan strategies, and drive growth within the ski industry.
“I am thrilled to witness the remarkable recovery our members have achieved. While we celebrate this success, we cannot overlook the pressing concerns posed by climate change. Therefore, we are determined to redouble our efforts through our milestone initiative, the Winter Sports Sustainability Network (WSN). In this spirit, we extend a heartfelt invitation to all companies engaged in the production of skis and ski boots to join forces with us. Together, we can drive meaningful change and contribute to a sustainable future,” emphasized FESI Secretary General, Jerome Pero.
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About FESI: The Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI) is the pre-competitive platform representing the interests of the sporting goods industry in Europe, advancing its members’ priorities and promoting initiatives that benefit the sector, EU citizens and the society as a whole. FESI is the sole stakeholder that provides sporting goods companies with the possibility to leverage their expertise into one steady and coherent voice.
Contact: Ariane Gatti, FESI Communication Manager / [email protected] /+32 (0)2 762 86 48
