Global Sports Market Declines but Is Expected to Rally in 2010
Weekend athletes around the world bought fewer athletic shoes, sporting apparel and equipment in 2009, resulting in a 2 percent drop from 2008, according to a survey by market-research company The NPD Group Inc.
The sports market declined markedly in the United States, with a 4 percent dip, and Japan, with a 5 percent downturn, with less of a drop in Europe, off only 1 percent.
The “Global Sports Estimate 2010,” which covers 90 countries, showed the worldwide sports market totaled $282 billion in 2009, off 2 percent from 2008 and the first drop since 2005.
“The state of the global economy and its subsequent impact on consumers worldwide has had an impact on the sports market as well,” said Renaud Vaschalde, global sports industry analyst at NPD, based in Port Washington, N.Y.
The good news is the sports market is expected to grow 1 percent this year, particularly with the influence of the recently concluded World Cup soccer competition in South Africa.
“We have just ended 2010 World Cup, and we know that from past tournament years this is a key driver of sales in the football market, and, in turn, that will help to push the overall sports market back into positive territory,” Vaschalde said. “In addition, the U.S. market is expected to stabilize and potentially grow in 2010.”—Deborah Belgum
NPD Global Sports Estimate
4% 2009–2010-2% 2008–20090% 2007–20084% 2006–20074% 2005–2006Source: The NPD Group Inc.
