“Winter sports sales fell 20 percent”

The slopes are rough, there is no snow. There are fewer winter sports enthusiasts who are spontaneously drawn to the slopes. This is felt not only by the mountain railways, but also by the numerous small and medium-sized sports shops in the low-lying ski areas.

“Sales are down 15 to 20 percent,” says Andreas Allmann, 56, of the ski service center at Wildhaus SG. “Sales would probably have dropped by more than 30 percent” if the discounts hadn’t been scattering around.

It is not customary to offer discounts of up to 50 percent in the middle of sports holidays. “We started the campaign six to eight weeks ago due to external conditions,” Allmann says.

At least there was no theft at the ski shuttle. Instead of renting skis, now is the time to squash the sides and come hell or high water. Therefore, the material maintenance area is at the level of the previous year. “And we were able to win national customers,” Allmann adds.

Daily rents fell sharply

Roman Wehrli (34) also attended St. Gallen operates three sports shops with Beat Sport: in Widnau, Buchs and Wildhaus. “We feel the warm weather of winter very strongly in the rental of winter sports equipment for the day and the sale of cross-country ski products,” says Wehrli. Due to the hot weather, it was very difficult, if not impossible, to create a functioning cross-country ski run in many areas.

Daily ski equipment rentals have dropped an estimated 30 percent, according to Wehrli. Wehrli had already spoken to Blick in January. “The sales job is not satisfying so far,” he said at the beginning of the year. After all, a few cold weeks could rekindle the day and weekend rental business. “But we have largely come to the end of the 2022/23 winter season and now we are looking ahead,” Wehrli said.

Normally, sales focus on the ski season until the end of March. “We’ve already turned our attention to spring crops,” Wehrli says. But of course, there are also winter equipment in the shops.

Warm weather attracts more mountain visitors to cycling. “Our workshops are very busy with service work, significantly more than in other years,” Wehrli confirms. Demand for bicycles and related equipment has also increased.

Cycling or hiking is popular

Casual shoes are more popular at Tödi Sport, the sports shop in Glarus. This is one of the core competencies of the business. If there is no snow, you just go for a walk.

In Tödi Sport, sales of winter sports products dropped significantly. “We sold a quarter less skis and touring boots and more than a third less skis and poles,” says Managing Director Ueli Oester (41).

On the other hand, there was no decrease in rents. But that could change this fall. “You notice a bad season the next year,” says Oester. People would then be more careful and no longer rent their skis all season long. “And we practically only live from regular customers.”

But he is not planning any discount campaigns: “We want to treat all customers the same, everyone should pay the same price.” But there will be some offers for the upcoming season. There is a discount on old models from the beginning of the season.

SportXX already has a season sale

What about the big sports retailers? Sales started at SportXX, Migros’ specialist dealer. This is customary. There is a 20 percent discount on all winter sports products until the end of March. Despite this, the trader states that demand has fallen. On the other hand, it is surprising: SportXX has set a new record in ski rental. The dealer could not answer why this was the case.

Intersport, a chain of sports stores with more than 150 specialized dealers, is also feeling the effects of the hot weather on sales. “The summer and year-round category takes advantage of spring-like weather,” says Blick on request. However, online ski equipment rental is currently doing well, especially as foreign guests are returning.

Source :Blick