Industry report values UK outdoor market at $2.13 billion

The United Kingdom outdoor industry is valued at GBP 1.345 billion (USD $2.13 billion), according to The Profile Outdoor Report 2008 published by Profile Consultancy, publisher of Outdoori, a U.K.-based outdoor industry trade newsletter.

Some summary data from the report:

>> The market value grew 3.1 percent in 2007 compared to 2006.

>> Apparel accounts for 62 percent of all sales in the outdoor channel, followed by equipment at 22 percent and footwear at 16 percent.

>> In the apparel category, travel apparel and waterproof shell sales remained flat, while insulated down, fleece and base layers all showed growth.

>> Lifestyle apparel is the strongest category.

>> Top selling apparel brands include The North Face, Berghaus, Craghoppers and Regatta.

>> Footwear sales remained flat in terms of dollars, but are up in terms of volume.

>> Multifunctional footwear accounts for 50 percent to 55 percent of all sales volume and 40 percent to 45 percent of sales dollars.

>> Changing consumer-buying trends, the effect of falling prices and an over-crowded market have created a highly competitive trading environment. That has led to brands having to compete for retail shelf space by offering added value, such as marketing, POS support and staff training.

>> General trading trends for 2007 were influenced by the weather. Last winter’s (2006/2007) mild climate affected winter clothing, footwear and equipment sales (although not as badly as Central Europe), while the warm spring witnessed an early demand for traditional summer clothing and fuelled sales of camping gear. Unfortunately, the wet summer dampened hopes of a record camping year.

>> Six companies each recorded gross U.K. revenue of more than GBP 25 million (USD $39.6 million). They were: Regatta Group (brands include Regatta, Craghoppers and D2B); The Bollin Group (brands include Mountain Equipment, Ron Hill, Sprayway, Bridgedale, Burton McCall); Berghaus; Trespass; Hi-Tec; and The North Face.

–Courtesy of our UK news partner, Outdoori (www.outdoori.com), and reprinted with permission. To request and purchase a full copy of The Profile Outdoor Report 2008 available in PDF format, send an email to profileconsultancy@btinternet.com.