The ski equipment market - France (2024)

1.2 Global market

Growth in the size of the global ski equipment market (***) World, ****, in $ billions Source: ****

Recent trends in the global ski equipment market (***) reveal steady growth. In ****, sales reached $*,*** billion, indicating steady progress since ****.

Forward-looking forecasts show a positive trend, with an estimated $*,*** billion in ****, followed by continued growth to $*,*** billion in ****. These projections are calculated on a compound annual growth rate (***) basis, underlining the anticipated robustness and viability of the ski equipment market.

This upward trend is influenced by a number of factors, includingtechnological innovation in equipment design, the growing popularity of skiing, and increasing demand for high-quality products.

Distribution of ski types sold World, ****, as % of total Source: ****

The global ski industry in **** will be strongly influenced by a few major players, withAustria leading the way among exporters, followed by France. These two countries demonstrate significant dominance, both in terms of production volume and exports.

In ****,Austria occupies first place with ski exports amounting to $***.*** million, testifying to its pre-eminent role in the global supply of skis. This position is largely attributable to a long tradition in the manufacture of winter sports goods and the presence of renowned brands.

France follows with exports of $***.*** million, consolidating its position as a ...

1.3 Domestic market

Growth in the size of the French ski equipment market (***) France, ****, € million Source: ****

The evolution of the French market for ski equipment (***) reveals significant growth over the ****-**** and ****-**** seasons, from €**.* million to €***.* million. This expansion can be attributed to various factors, such as the renewed post-pandemic craze for winter sports, technological developments in equipment design, and changes in consumer behavior.

Estimates for the ****-**** season point to a continuation of this positive trend, with sales estimated at *** million euros. This growth suggests continuing demand for ski equipment in France, underlining the market's dynamism.

1.4 French trade balance

French trade balance (***) World, ****, in $ millions Source: ****

The customs tariff number for the ski/snowboard trade is ******

In ****, the French ski/snowboard trade balance shows a significant increase in exports, reaching $***,*** million. Although imports also increased, totaling $***,*** million, the trade balance remained positive at $**,*** million. This dynamic underlines the competitiveness of French products on the world market, despite a slight reduction in the trade surplus margin compared with the previous year.

French trade balance (***) World, ****, in millions of $ Source: ****

The customs tariff number corresponding to trade in ski/snowboard bindings is ******

In ****, the trade balance for ski/snowboard bindings in France remains positive, withexports of $**.*** million. Imports amounted to $**,*** million, generating a trade balance surplus of $**,*** million. This performance reflects the competitiveness of French bindings on the world market, underlining the continuing international demand for these products.

French trade balance (***) World, ****, in $ millions Source: ****

The customs tariff number for trade in ski/snowboard accessories is ******

In ****, France's balance of trade in ski/snowboard accessories remains positive, withexports of $**,*** million. Imports amounted to $**,*** million, generating a trade balance surplus of $*,*** million. This performance underlines the competitiveness of French accessories on the world market, with sustained international demand.

French trade balance (***) World, ****, in ...

2.1 Typology of demand: socio-cultural characteristics of the customer

As far as B*B customers are concerned, * players stand out:

Major sports brands Pure players, most of them located close to the slopes Internet sales platforms and sites

Here, it's a question of determining who makes up the B*C customer base.

Poll: Have you skied at least * time in the last ** months? France, ****, in % Source: ****

Despite the popularity of the mountains during the winter vacations, more than half of French people (***).

Although **% of French people go to the mountains during the winter vacations, not all of them ski. Only **% ski often, with notable disparities between CSP+ (***).

Despite the appeal of the mountains, skiing remains an exclusive activity for a minority of French people: **% have never skied. This proportion rises to **% among retired or inactive French people.

The analysis suggests that although the mountains remain attractive, skiing is not universally practised, demonstrating a partial democratization of leisure activities, influenced by geographical and financial disparities.

Poll: When did you start skiing? France, ****, in % Source: ****

Among French skiers, a significant majority (***).

In terms of ski level, ESF classifications show that *st and *rd star are the most frequently achieved levels (***). Only a few, or *% of skiers, have achieved the gold star, and ...

2.2 General demand trends

Poll: Who do you ski with? France, ****, in % Source: ****

The **** data show that **% of people discovered downhill skiing with their family. This figure is significant because it highlights theimpact of social reproduction in skiing, showing that downhill skiing is often passed down within families.

In comparison, **% of downhill skiers discovered the sport through friends, while only **% were introduced to it in a sports club. These figures underline the crucial role of the family environment in the introduction to downhill skiing.

When examining the socio-economic characteristics of downhill skiers, it is interesting to note that **% of them have sporting parents, reinforcing the intergenerational influence in the practice of this sport.

In terms of social class, the figures show that **% of alpine skiers belong to the upper-middle class. This statistic suggests a correlation between socio-economic status and participation in downhill skiing.

What's more, **% of downhill skiers come from towns with populations of over ***,***, underlining the urban concentration of downhill skiing.

In short, these data highlight a certain degree of social reproduction in downhill skiing in France, with strong links between family origins, social class and the choice of this winter sport.

Trend in the number of skier-days sold France, ****, in millions Source: ****

Between ...

2.3 Demand split between buying and leasing

As illustrated in detail in section *.*, an important observation emerges: the majority of French people rarely ski, while a minority do so regularly every year. This trend has a direct impact on ski and snowboard purchasing habits. Indeed, the purchase of this specific equipment remains the prerogative of a minority, as the graph below confirms.

This disparity in skiing habits has a direct impact on the skiwear market. While some individuals opt to buy their own equipment because they regularly hit the slopes, the majority of French people who rarely ski often prefer to rent or use other temporary alternatives.

Poll: Do you prefer to rent or buy your skis for the winter? France, ****, in Source: ****

The survey conducted in France in **** reveals that the majority of respondents, **%, express a preference for renting their skis for the winter season. In contrast, **% express a preference for purchasing their equipment. This trend suggests a marked inclination towards rental, motivated by considerations of practicality, cost, or the desire to benefit from the latest equipment without long-term commitment.

2.4 Growing demand for the used market

In the space of just a few months, three French start-ups- Campsider, Everide and Barooders - have emerged on the market, competing to attract bargain-hungry, sustainability-conscious sports enthusiasts. Even traditional players such as Decathlon are starting to incorporate second-hand products into their shelves, reflecting changing attitudes.

France, with its mountain ranges, coastline and tourist infrastructure, is a key market for outdoor sports in Europe. However, some sports require expensive, seasonal equipment, limiting the number of potential buyers. Second-hand start-ups like Campsider are seeking to democratize these sports by making equipment more accessible.

Thomas Gounot, co-founder of Campsider, points out that interest in the second-hand market has grown, inspired by the success of platforms such as Vinted and Vestiaire Collective. Campsider, with **,*** listings since its launch, enables private individuals to buy or sell outdoor products, thus broadening the offer.

To guarantee equipment quality and simplify payment and delivery, these start-ups collaborate with professionals and offer advice to buyers. Barooders, which raised €*.* million this year, offers Troc Sport and Freeglisse products for sale on its platform. Campsider has established partnerships with well-known brands to become their preferred sales channel.

Despite tight margins in the second-hand market, these start-ups, such asEveride, which has secured ...

2.5 The cyclical nature of consumer demand

Evolution of interest in "Ski" research (***) France, ****-**** Source: ****

In January ****, the popularity rate was **, reaching its peak in July **** with **. However, a decrease is observed towards the end of ****. In ****, a steady decline is noted until reaching * in June. This period probably corresponds to the summer season, when there is less interest in ski equipment.

A recovery is observed in September ****, with an upward trend until January ****, indicating renewed interest in ski equipment. The winter period of **** shows a marked increase, reaching a rate of ** in January ****, reflecting strong demand during the ski season.

Thereafter, a slight decline is noted, but interest remains relatively stable until June ****. from then on, significant growth occurs, peaking at *** in January ****. This suggests an exceptional craze for ski equipment, perhaps linked to a promising winter season or innovations in the industry.

Analysis of this data suggests seasonal variations in interest in ski equipment, with peaks during the winter months and troughs during the summer. Notable increases can also be influenced by specific events, such as favorable weather conditions or new product launches.

3.1 Value chain

3.2 Production (in value and volume)

Snow ski production trend (***) France, ****, € million Source: ****

The evolution of snow ski production in France in **** reveals a downward trend, with a value of €**,*** million. This decline is part of a downward trajectory since ****, when production was valued at €**,*** million.

Snow ski production trend (***) France, ****, in units Source: ****

When we compare the evolution of snow ski production in value and volume terms in France, we observe an interesting dynamic. In ****, production by value was **,*** million euros for a volume of ***,*** units. In ****, although production by value fell slightly to **,*** million euros, volume increased significantly, reaching ***,*** units.

The disparity becomes more evident in ****, when production by value rose to **,*** million euros, while volume reached ***,*** units. However, from **** onwards, both indicators show a downward trend, with value production at **,*** million euros and volume at ***,*** units in ****.

The data underline a possible optimization of production processes and costs, leading to an increase in production volume despite a decline in value. This may reflect a strategy aimed at maintaining competitiveness in a changing market.

3.3 Production workforce

In the absence of statistics on the number of companies in the ski manufacturing sector, the broader field of sporting goods manufacturing was considered.

Number of companies and number of employees in the sporting goods manufacturing sector France, ****, in units Source: ****

Data on salaried employees and the number of companies in the sporting goods manufacturing sector in France, between **** and ****, offer a significant insight into the vitality of the ski equipment industry. It's important to note that these figures correspond to a specific NAF category, including ski equipment production.

Over this period, the number of salaried employees in the sector has grown steadily, from **** in **** to **** in ****. The sector has thus suffered little from the pandemic, and has even benefited from the renewed interest in outdoor sports generated by the end of confinement.

The number of companies operating in this NAF category has also risen, from *** in **** to *** in ****. This expansion testifies to an environment conducive to entrepreneurship.

Linking this data to the ski equipment industry, it is important to note that ski equipment represents approximately **% of the overall outdoor sporting goods industry in France [***]. Assuming that the wage component is similar within the same NAF category, we can reasonably estimate ...

3.4 Distribution channels

Number of companies and number of employees in the leisure and sporting goods rental and leasing sector France, ****, in units Source: ****

Over the past six years, the leisure and sporting goods rental and leasing sector in France has seen significant changes in both the number of employees and the number of companies.

Thesalaried workforce in this sector has seen notable growth, rising from **** employees in **** to **** in ****. This sustained increase suggests heightened consumer interest in leisure and sports equipment rental, probably fuelled by growing demand.

The Number of Companies has also expanded, from **** in **** to **** in ****. This increase in the number of players in the sector indicates a diversification and intensification of the rental service offering, adapting to greater demand.

These data reflect a positive dynamic in the French leisure and sports equipment rental industry. This trend could also have a positive impact on the ski industry, underlining the growing importance of equipment rental in the landscape of leisure activities, particularly those related to skiing.

The different distribution channels

There are three main distribution channels, divided between ski sales and rentals:

The major sporting goods retailers, also positioned in the rental market (***) Specialist ski rental outlets, almost all of which are ...

4.1 Offer typology

Source: ****

*Catalog partially unavailable

**Accessories whose categories are similar to those used for ski sales, prices not detailed

4.2 Price trends conditioned by the scarcity of raw materials

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Theproducer price index for sporting goods manufacturing in France shows an upward trend over the period January **** to November ****. In January ****, the index stood at ***.* and rose steadily to ***.* in November ****.

This development suggests an overall increase in production costs within the sporting goods industry over this period. Several factors may be contributing to this rise, such as higher raw material costs, wages, and logistics-related costs.

In relation to theski equipment industry, which represents **% of the outdoor equipment industry, an increase in production costs can have significant implications. As a result, ski equipment manufacturers are facing pressure on their margins, which may have repercussions on end-product prices.

Rising commodity prices

Source: ****

In addition to thermoplastics, steel and aluminum play a decisive role in the manufacture of skis, and even more so, poles and other equipment. Between April **** and January ****, the price of iron rose from $**.**/ton to $***.**/ton, aluminum from $****.**/ton to $****.*/ton, and steel from $***/ton to $****/ton[***].

A decisive factor in the rising price of skis is their move upmarket, with sales increasingly geared towards professionals and consumers demanding superior quality, with production increasingly following a precise order book. This trend is accompanied by increasingly expensive advertising campaigns, ...

5.1 Manufacturing standards for ski products

ISO (***), a worldwide federation of national standards bodies, plays a central role in setting international standards, particularly those relating to sports and outdoor equipment. The ISO ***** standard, drawn up by ISO/TC **, Sports and outdoor activity equipment, subcommittee SC *, Skis and snowboards, is a reference in this context.

Downhill skiing

In the field of downhill skiing, two major standards govern equipment criteria. ISO **** specifies requirements for boots, while ISO **** covers bindings, specifying release values on a scale of *.* to **. These values determine the force required to release the shoes in different situations, thus ensuring the safety of all users.

The standards ensure product inter-compatibility, enabling the use of alpine-standard boots with corresponding bindings.

Ski touring

For touring, ISO standards ***** for bindings and **** for boots extend this principle. The ***** follows the logic of the **** with additional specifications for walking, while **** hiking boots feature a walking-friendly last with a gripping sole.

It should be noted that hiking boots without a rear edge do not meet the **** standard, which excludes certain lightweight footwear from compliance.

All ISO **** and *****-compliant bindings for alpine skiing and touring also comply with ISO ***** and ISO ****. The former specifies stop-skis and leashes, while the latter addresses the lateral release ...

6.1 Typology of players

• Skis Rossignol
• Salomon (Amer Sport groupe)
• Fusalp
• MILLET MOUNTAIN GROUP
• Atomic
• Head
• Burton Snowboards
• Intersport France
• Go Sport France
• Glisshop (Lafreto groupe)
• PIQ
• Black Crows
• Dynastar
• Fischer Sports
• Zag Skis
• Armada Skis (Au Vieux Campeur)
• Line Skis
• Movement Skis
• Elan Skis
• Volkl
• Scott Sports
• K2 Sports
• Stöckli
• Nordica (Tecnica Group)
• Blizzard (Tecnica)
• The North Face
• Quiksilver Bilabong
• Helly Hansen
• Columbia Sports Wear
• Odlo
• Oakley
• Picture Organic Clothing
• Commencal
• Amer Sport Groupe (Wilson et Salomon)
• Béal Cordes
• Skiset Compagnie des loueurs de skis
• Sport 2000
• Amer Sports France
• Inook