The EOG has unveiled top line results from its State of Trade project, using data from 115 brands in Europe to analyse sell-in information for seven main categories and 48 separate sub-categories. 

EOG estimates point out that during 2018 sales were generally flat compared to the previous year, with the wholesale market being worth 5.81 billion euros, 1% down in value and 0.5% down in volume (from the previous year).

Pauline Shepherd, EOG Head of Market Research, comments: “Despite some clear challenges in the market, the outdoor sector continues to show resilience, driven by innovation and the ability of the industry to adapt. The growth in climbing is encouraging to see and is another example of how our sector plays a role in developing wider sporting goods and lifestyle categories. Climbing is in the spotlight more than ever, not least because of its inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and that has clearly had an impact on the wider general public and on these figures.”

Out of the 5.81 billion euros generated in this market in 2018, 2.91 billion euros refer to revenue coming from the apparel segment and representing 50% of the outdoor market's revenue. Footwear represents 29% of the market generating 1.69 billion euros in 2018.

Countries and Regions

Countries and regions generally performed in line with the overall figures, recording growth or decline ranging from +1% to -1%.  The year was slightly more difficult in Austria and Switzerland, a view supported by feedback from EOG members. The largest markets were Germany, France and the UK, which together represent 50% of the sector, and therefore heavily influence the development figures.

The data for 2018 reveals that climbing grew strongly, by 5.7% in value and 6.1% in volume.  Elsewhere, figures again reflected the overall picture, though there was more of a decline in sleeping bags (-4.7% in value and -4.9% in volume).

Pauline Shepherd, EOG head of market research, comments: “Despite some clear challenges in the market, the outdoor sector continues to show resilience, driven by innovation and the ability of the industry to adapt.  The growth in climbing is encouraging to see and is another example of how our sector plays a role in developing wider sporting goods and lifestyle categories.  Climbing is in the spotlight more than ever, not least because of its inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and that has clearly had an impact on the wider general public and on these figures.”