Under 35s account for 60% of expenditure on sports clothing and equipment in RoI and NI - Are younger consumers more inclined to make sports goods purchases?

The sports clothing and equipment market in RoI has grown at an average of 14% per annum reaching an estimated €347m in 2001. Has this growth has been assisted by the rapid development of the health and fitness market?

In the future, will the expansion of retail multiples in the sportswear and equipment market pose a threat to independent retailers?

Under 35s account for 60% of expenditure on sports clothing and equipment in RoI and NI - Are younger consumers more inclined to make sports goods purchases?

The sports clothing and equipment market in RoI has grown at an average of 14% per annum reaching an estimated €347m in 2001. Has this growth has been assisted by the rapid development of the health and fitness market?

In the future, will the expansion of retail multiples in the sportswear and equipment market pose a threat to independent retailers?

There have been great changes in leisure participation over the past few years. Participation in many sports is in decline and the leisure club is picking up the new generation of cash rich, time poor consumers. This has a large influence on the retailing of sports goods, with a number of new trends emerging.

Mintel last examined the Irish market for sports goods in June 2000. This report aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the current market for sportswear and equipment at retail level.

There is a two-tier market for sports goods, namely sportswear for sports activities and sportswear as general leisure clothing. The major multiples and the independents generally target both tiers, while the department stores generally focus on the leisurewear tier. Independents are increasingly seen to be

differentiating by concentrating on niche sub-markets within the sphere of sports clothing and equipment. The emergence of targeted sports goods outlets at leisure centres builds on the success of the pro-shop concept at golf clubs.

Other Irish Mintel current reports of relevance to this market include:

- Golf, Irish Series, May 2001

- Online Shopping, Irish Series, August 2001

- Irish Lifestyles, Special Report, August 2001

- Health & Fitness Facilities, Irish Series, October 2001

Other European and UK Mintel reports of relevance include:

- Retailing at Leisure Venues, Leisure Intelligence - UK Report, August 2001

- Sports Goods Retailing, Retail Intelligence - UK Report, January 2001

- Sportswear Retailing, Retail Intelligence - UK Report, January 2002

- Health & Fitness, Special - UK Report, October 2001

- Sports Goods Retailing, European Retail Intelligence, January 2002

and the forthcoming:

- Apparel Retailing, Irish Series, August 2002

- Special Report, Irish Lifestyles, September 2002

- Clothing Retailing, Retail Intelligence (UK and Europe), April 2002

- Footwear Retailing, Retail Intelligence - UK Report, May 2002.