The self-defence market - France

1.2 The global market

Global market size:

In ****, the global market for self-defense products is estimated at $*.* billion, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of *.*%.

World market sales trends and forecasts

The United States is of course the world's leading market for self-defense weapons, since it is legal to carry firearms. ** million weapons were sold in the USA in ****, and the arms market has quadrupled in fifteen years. [***]

1.3 The French market

The private security market in France:

The market size of the private security sector in France is estimated at *.* billion euros in ****.

Growth in sales for the private security sector France, ****-****, in millions of euros Source: ****

The private security market in France is broader than that of self-defense, but it is well representative of the latter. In fact, as presented in the rest of the study, many different types of weapons (***) and self-defense outfits are sold, among others.these companies often call on the services of self-defence instructors. The trend in sales in the private security sector reflects the trend in self-defense.

Estimated market size for self-defense products in France:

A precise estimate of the market size for self-defense products in France is highly complex, due to the lack of available data. Nevertheless, it is possible to give an order of magnitude.

Since we have the size of the global market for self-defense products, estimated at $*.* billion in ****, we need to find an order of magnitude for the French share of the global market to find the annual sales of self-defense products.

One of the best and only data we have for estimating market size is the rate of armament ...

2.1 A growing sense of insecurity

Increase in the number of assaults:

The number of assaults outside the family has been rising in France in recent years. In ****, nearly ***,*** cases of assault and battery outside the family were recorded, a figure that has risen by **% in five years.

Change in the number of intentional assaults France, ****-****, in thousands Source: ****

The number of homicides is also on the rise, reaching *,*** in ****, a record year over the last five years. All this is contributing to French people's desire to protect themselves by buying self-defense weapons and enrolling in self-defense courses.

Change in the number of homicides France, ****-****, in numbers Source: ****

Rising sense of insecurity:

Do you feel that crime has increased in recent months N Source: ****

While the number of assaults is on the rise, it is above all the feeling of insecurity in France that is growing. In ****, **% of French people believe that insecurity is on the rise in France. This is contributing to a growing demand for self-defense products.

2.2 Feminization of demand

Rape and sexual assault on the rise in France :

Trend in the number of sexual assaults France, ****-****, in thousands Source: ****

In France, the number of rapes and sexual assaults is rising sharply. From **,*** rapes and attempted rapes to **.* thousand between **** and ****. Other sexual assaults have risen from **.* thousand to ** thousand in * years.

Do women feel safe in France?

Places where women feel unsafe France, ****, in % of women feeling unsafe Source: ****

Women, especially younger women, feel increasingly unsafe in France. In the graph above, **% of women aged ** to ** feel unsafe in a parking lot alone at night, and ** and **% respectively feel unsafe in a deserted street or on public transport. The use of self-defense weapons could make women feel safer.

Types of aggression suffered by women, by age group France, ****, in % of women having suffered this type of aggression Source: ****

The number of assaults suffered by women is highly varied, and varies according to age. **% of women aged ** to ** have already been whistled at, **% of **-** year-olds have suffered verbal aggression and **% physical aggression. So more and more women want to practice self-defense to protect themselves from possible aggression.

Self-defense, a new trend among women:

In addition to the need to ...

2.3 Web analysis of demand

Seasonality of demand:

The Google Trends index enables us to evaluate the interest and number of searches over a given period and for a given region. In this way, we can analyze the search interest for self-defense on the Internet.

Evolution of Google searches for the term "self defense France, ****-****, Google Trends Index Source: ****

The graph above shows a seasonal pattern in searches for self-defense, with a high peak in September of each year, which corresponds to the period when people sign up for courses. A second element can be observed on the graph: during the health crisis and the subsequent period of restriction in ****, when indoor sports were banned, there was a drop in the number of searches. In ****, we see a return to growth, albeit below the levels of **** and ****.

Geographical distribution of searches :

Google searches for the term "self defense" are fairly well distributed across France, with slightly more interest in the southern part of France than in the north. The former Poitou-Charentes region has topped the list for "self-defense" searches over the last five years.

Main self-defense disciplines in demand in France :

Searches by type of self-defense discipline France, ****-****, Google Trends index Source: ****

Krav Maga, ...

3.1 Number of practitioners

It is very difficult to count the number of self-defense practitioners in France, as there is no real federation, and practice is not necessarily regular (***). In any case, France is a major martial arts and combat sports country, as evidenced by the number of licensed practitioners, and is thus highly conducive to the development of self-defense. Disciplines such as taekwondo, jujitsu, aikido and kick-boxing are fully considered self-defense disciplines.

According to the French Karate Federation, **% of karate practitioners have already practiced self-defense (***).

Number of licenses :

Evolution of the number of licenses France, ****, in thousands Source: ****

For all the sports mentioned above, the number of licensees is falling, due to the health crisis and the health regulations that have prevented the practice of indoor sports for a long time. By far the most popular sports are Judo-jujitsu (***), followed by kick-boxing and taekwondo.

Male-female breakdown :

Judo, the most practiced martial art in France, counts **.*% women among its licensees, which is a good representation compared to other sports.

Number of judo-jujitsu and associated disciplines licenses by gender France, ****, in Source: ****

Taekwondo is the self-defense sport with the highest proportion of women: **.*% of licensees are women. Distribution of taekwondo and associated disciplines licenses by gender France, ...

3.2 Geographical distribution

In this section, judo-jujitsu clubs have been chosen to reflect the geographical distribution of self-defense practice in France in clubs or associations, as they are the most representative: the FFJ is the federation with the largest number of licensees and clubs for combat sports, martial arts and self-defense; and self-defense classes are mainly held in dojos or sports centers where judo is practiced.

Geographical distribution of clubs :

Clubs for judo-jujitsu and other associated disciplines are fairly well distributed across the country, with a high concentration in the Ile-de-France region, and more clubs on average in the South than in the Centre and West.

Geographical distribution of members :

The number of members per region is broadly in line with the number of clubs per region. The regions with the most members are Ile-de-France (***), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Nouvelle-Acquitaine.

3.3 Organization: Federations, centers, associations and teachers

Sports federations :

French Judo-Jujitsu Federation French Karate Federation French Taekwendo Federation French Aikido Federation French Kick-Boxing Federation European Krav-Maga Federation

Multi-sport federations :

French Federation of Sport for All French Federation of Combat Sports and Martial Arts

The main centers :

There are a multitude of centers and dojos in France where you can practice self-defense. These include the Dojo de Grenelle, the largest martial arts club in Paris (***)[***]

Teachers and their training:

There are three levels of club instructor:

The first level: the Federal Instructor Diploma (***). This allows you to set up and supervise a combat sports or martial arts session for any audience. The second degree: the federal instructor dipl oma (***). This allows you to assume technical and pedagogical responsibility for a combat sports and martial arts club. The third level: the diplôme de professeur fédéral (***). This diploma is awarded to an experienced teacher with extensive knowledge of the disciplines in the same group, and entitles the holder to hold regional management positions and sit on examination boards for teaching diplomas.

Source: ****

3.4 Leading self-defense equipment companies

Here is a list of the main companies selling self-defense equipment (***).

Source: ****

4.1 Self-defense classes

The different types of self-defense courses :

Krav-Maga: for attacking and defending, combines numerous techniques such as boxing, karate, Greco-Roman wrestling and jiu-jitsu. It is used by numerous security agencies and secret services, notably in Israel. Jiu-jitsu: a hybrid style designed to neutralize the opponent's center of gravity. Use of arm locks, biting or eye blows. Jeet Kune do: combines the speed and strikes of Jiu-Jitsu with the defense-attack tactics of Wing Chun. Aikido: martial art that waits for the opponent's attack before striking at his weak points. Keysi fighting method: brutal, violent style used in close combat, combining punches, headbutts, knees and elbows. Wing chun kung fu: a form of Kung Fu that consists of blocking an opponent's attack with a single move before eliminating it with powerful blows to sensitive parts of the body. Kickboxing: a self-defense discipline that uses fists, legs and knees to teach insensitivity to pain.

Source: ****

Prices:

In terms of rates, a private kravmaga class costs around €** per hour, or €** per hour in a group class, and a subscription between €*** and €*** per year.

However, prices vary enormously according to region and discipline (***). Courses cost €**/€** per half-day. [***]

4.2 Products for self-defence training

The products below allow you to practice self-defense:

Source: ****

4.3 Self-defence weapons

The self-defense weapons below can be used to defend yourself in the event of aggression.

Source: ****

4.4 Offer diversification

Self-defense on social networks:

Online courses (***).

On TikTok, the SelfDefGirl account promotes a kit containing a glass breaker, an ice pick, a belt cutter, a brass knuckle, a small blade concealed in a fake key and a pepper spray. These objects and defensive weapons are pink in color and decorated with pom-poms. [***]

By-products:

Self-defense is a real trend, as evidenced by the many derivative products: Mangas, T-shirts, video games (***)...

Training for police officers:

More and more police and law enforcement officers are practicing self-defense, as they face violent acts more frequently than in the past. Krav-maga is particularly popular with them. Since ****, Puteaux's ** municipal police officers have been learning Krav Maga. This can also be the case for municipal agents or park and garden wardens.

5.1 Self-defence

Main texts :

Art. ***-*:

A person is not criminally liable if, faced with an unjustified attack on himself or another, he simultaneously performs an act in self-defense of himself or another, unless the means of defense used are disproportionate to the seriousness of the attack.cess of self-defense or the legitimate defense of others, unless the means of defense employed are disproportionate to the seriousness of the attack. A person who, in order to interrupt the execution of a crime or misdemeanour against property, performs an act of self-defence, other than voluntary manslaughter, is not criminally liable if this act is carried out in self-defence.this act is strictly necessary to the aim pursued, provided that the means employed are proportionate to the seriousness of the offence.

Art. ***-*:

The person who performs the act is presumed to have acted in self-defence:

To repel, by night, a break-in, violence or deception in an inhabited place. To defend oneself against the perpetrators of theft or looting carried out with violence.

Self-defense:

A person who has been unjustly attacked, physically or morally, has the right to defend themselves or their loved ones in danger, and to strike if the nature of the attack ...

5.2 Self-defense weapons regulations

There are different categories of weapons: category A, subject to authorization, category B, subject to authorization, category C, subject to declaration, and category D, which can be purchased and held freely. [***].

In this section we only deal with category D weapons.

Main weapons classified in category D :

Objects that may constitute a weapon dangerous to public health (***) Aerosol and tear gas cans (***) Electrical contact weapons (***) Weapons and launchers with non-pyrotechnically propelled projectiles Blanks Historical and collector's weapons Reproduction weapons

Minors may not purchase category D weapons.

Transporting a category D weapon:

Category D weapons may not be carried or transported (***) without legitimate reason.

Penalties :

Source: ****

6.1 Player segmentation

• Superprof
• Adidas
• Décathlon France
• Go Sport France
• Ducatillon
• Armurerie Loisir (SD Equipements)
• SD Equipements
• Maxiprotec
• Mizuno