Rise in sales at sports and camping retailers
The world of sports is thriving in Germany. The revenue of sports and camping shops skyrocketed by 41.5% in real terms (after adjusting for inflation) between 2013 and 2023, revealed the Federal Statistical Office before the Euro 2024 Championship. This growth rate overshadowed the overall revenue growth of stationary retail, which climbed by a much slimmer 9.1% in real terms during the same span.
As if that weren't enough, sports equipment manufacturers are also cooking up a storm. In 2023, sports equipment like running belts, skis, and tennis rackets worth €780.3 million was manufactured in Germany. This equals a massive 35.3% increase in value since the last decade. Meanwhile, the value of production for the processing industry as a whole grew by a measly 21.5% in the same period.
In 2023, a whopping 71 firms with more than 20 staff members produced sports equipment. These companies clocked in a staggering €845.6 million turnover, with more than two-thirds (69%) of it coming from the domestic market. By contrast, a decade ago, 64 firms with sports equipment production generated €726.2 million.
Imports of sports equipment are on the rise as well. Sports gear worth eur1.48 billion entered the German market in 2023, a 47.4% increase over 2013. Nearly half (45.1%) of the imported sports equipment hailed from China. The Czech Republic followed in second place with 5.5%, while the US trailed in third with 4.8%. On the flip side, the value of exported sports equipment soared by 43.4% to approximately €1.2 billion within the same decade. The top importers of German-made sports equipment included Austria (12.8%), France (11.1%), and Switzerland (9.6%).
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The surge in sports and camping store sales has led to an increase in running belt purchases, indicating a stronger interest in running as a popular sport among Germans. This growth in sports equipment turnover has also impacted the cycling industry, with manufacturers observing a positive trend in bicycle sales. Furthermore, the success of sports retailers has encouraged the expansion of fuball (football) equipment sales in local camping stores, catering to both outdoor and indoor sports enthusiasts.
