Sports stores celebrate the first snow in the plains: “We already have many more customers in the store

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It was also snowing in the plains these days. And things look even better in the mountains, with snow-covered chalets and plenty of fresh snow on the ski slopes. Winter weather also reached the population. The Swiss are preparing for the ski season. “The early snowfall has a big impact on our rental business; we can accommodate many more customers,” says Ruedi Ineichen (53), owner of the Sportart Ineichen sports shop in Horw LU.

According to Ineichen, people nowadays think twice about whether renting ski equipment is worth it. It is a result of inflation, as he said. “Some families are having to organize their finances better and only rent equipment when they know they can actually use it regularly.” Rentals are very important to him: they are 99 percent of the business, especially when it comes to children’s skis.

Snow “elixir of life”

The signs are good for a white winter right now. Some ski areas have more than a meter of fresh snow. “Snow is the elixir of life for us,” says Ineichen simply. In addition to ski equipment rental, snowshoes or cross-country skis are also in particular demand at the moment.

Snowfall is felt at both Och Sport branches in Zurich. “We can’t talk about a big rush yet, but the rental of skis, ski boots and children’s equipment has increased in the last few days,” says Och Sport deputy team principal Yanick Aegerter (25).

According to the questions received, Migros’ private store chain SportX is also making “a very good start to the rental season”. The positive development in demand for adult equipment is encouraging. The best price category is also in high demand at the beginning of the season.

Christmas and New Year are decisive in the mountains

More than 60 branches of SportX reached record numbers in the rental business last season. Completely contrary to the trend. Last winter, when there was little snowfall, many sports stores experienced serious decreases in their sales. Now enthusiasm is returning to specialist shops in the lowlands.

In the mountains, the industry hopes the wintry atmosphere will last until Christmas and New Year. Then, as Gusti Oehrli (61) said, business in the destinations is really booming. “Snow and cold have already increased business,” says the owner of Edelweiss Sport in Gstaad BE. “But for those of us who live in the mountains, it is very important that the conditions and weather are good over Christmas and New Year.”

Source :Blick