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Bicycles are a popular consumer product in 2008
04.10.2008 22:11:00
Industry press conference before the opening of the 17th EUROBIKE international bicycle trade show – over €3 billion worth of sales in bicycles and accessories in Germany – rising sales among bicycle retailers.
“Still pumping gas or already pedaling?” “Save fuel, ride a bike” “More people are back in the saddle.” Bicycles are making positive headlines everywhere as they become more and more popular. An increasing number of Germans are using bikes to ride to work and have fun during their leisure time. High fuel prices and greater environmental awareness are helping to boost growth in bicycle sales. Industry associations anticipate a slight increase during the current 2008 season, and over the medium term the experts expect additional growth for bicycles, components and accessories.
“Since consumption in Germany has not shown a recovery, bicycle sales in the first six months of 2008 could be called successful,” said Christoph Goebel, Chairman of the German Association of Bicycle Wholesalers and Exporters (ZGA) and Managing Partner of Grofa GmbH, a bicycle and accessories manufacturer. This upbeat view of developments in the sector was shared by Mathias Seidler, CEO of Derby Cycle, the largest German bicycle manufacturer, and Andreas Lübeck, an external consultant for the Federation of Independent Bicycle Companies (VSF): “We anticipate sales to rise in 2008,” say the two industry experts. One day before the international EUROBIKE bicycle trade show (4-7 September 2008) opens its doors, the association spokesmen and company representatives from the bicycle industry presented in Friedrichshafen the current figures from the industry.
More new bikes in 2008
The German Association of Bicycle Wholesalers and Exporters (ZGA) reported domestic deliveries of 2.842 million bicycles by the end of July, 2008. This exceeded the results from the previous year by one percent. The previous year's domestic deliveries, calculated by taking the domestic production, adding imports and subtracting exports, was 2.813 million bicycles by the end of June.
Domestic production rose from 1.503 million bicycles to 1.658 million. But this increase in production of 150,000 units went completely into exports, which showed significant growth. In the first six months of the year, 590,000 bicycles were exported, compared to 328,000 during the same period the previous year.
Bicycle imports in the first half of the year rose from 1.638 million units in 2007 to 1.774 million imported bicycles in 2008, which corresponds to an increase of 8.3 percent.
Over €3 billion Euro in sales
According to the association, the industry achieved sales of €1.7 billion from bicycles and an additional €1.45 billion from repairs, accessories and replacement parts - making for a market with a total volume of over €3 billion. The bicycle industry also enjoyed particularly good sales in the after-sales area. This is where the increased use of bicycles has had a significant effect. Although concrete figures for this market segment are not yet available, consultations with companies that are active in the component and accessory segment have fully confirmed this market observation. Without a doubt, rising bicycle component and accessory sales also go hand in hand with higher repair shop sales among retailers.
General figures
In comparison with the rest of Europe, the German bicycle industry is in a strong position. Together with the retail sector, the industry employs 30,000 people. Bicycle sales reached €1.548 billion in 2006 and €1.686 billion in 2007. The leading import nation in Germany is Taiwan, Poland is in second place, and Thailand has edged out Vietnam to take third place. All in all, the ZGA reports that 4.58 million bicycles were placed on the German market through so-called domestic deliveries. 2.4 million bicycles were manufactured in German plants, 2.75 million came via imports, and nearly 600,000 bicycles were produced in Germany and exported abroad. Domestic production has a 40-percent share of the domestic deliveries, while a 60-percent market share goes to imports.
Popular types of bicycles
Trekking bikes are doing particularly well, making up 32 percent of all sales, followed by city bikes and mountain bikes. Electric bikes are quickly gaining in popularity, with strong growth rates reported in many European countries. The association anticipates sales of e-bikes to reach 100,000 units.
There is even more good news for the retail sector: An increasing number of bicycles are being purchased from specialists, who have a market share of 59 percent. In absolute terms, retailers even account for 78 percent of the bikes sold. On the other hand, large chains such as department stores, home improvement stores and discounters reported declining sales. The average price for all sales outlets was €370 per bike. In bicycle shops, however, sales averaged €440 per bicycle. "We predict rising average prices for the retail trade in the future as well," says Christoph Goebel.
68 million bikes
Over the past ten years, the number of mountain bikes, city and sports bikes has risen from 62 million to the current figure of 68 million bicycles. 81 percent of all households own a bicycle. That is a ten percent rise over the year 2000.
EUROBIKE 2008 sets a new record
The 17th EUROBIKE bicycle trade show (4-7 September 2008) is the meeting place for the international industry. With 936 exhibitors, and 71 percent of these from abroad, the trade show has set a new record. Open House Day is on Sunday, 7 September 2008. From 4-6 September, the trade show is open exclusively for trade visitors.
from: http://www.eurobike-exhibition.de
“Still pumping gas or already pedaling?” “Save fuel, ride a bike” “More people are back in the saddle.” Bicycles are making positive headlines everywhere as they become more and more popular. An increasing number of Germans are using bikes to ride to work and have fun during their leisure time. High fuel prices and greater environmental awareness are helping to boost growth in bicycle sales. Industry associations anticipate a slight increase during the current 2008 season, and over the medium term the experts expect additional growth for bicycles, components and accessories.
“Since consumption in Germany has not shown a recovery, bicycle sales in the first six months of 2008 could be called successful,” said Christoph Goebel, Chairman of the German Association of Bicycle Wholesalers and Exporters (ZGA) and Managing Partner of Grofa GmbH, a bicycle and accessories manufacturer. This upbeat view of developments in the sector was shared by Mathias Seidler, CEO of Derby Cycle, the largest German bicycle manufacturer, and Andreas Lübeck, an external consultant for the Federation of Independent Bicycle Companies (VSF): “We anticipate sales to rise in 2008,” say the two industry experts. One day before the international EUROBIKE bicycle trade show (4-7 September 2008) opens its doors, the association spokesmen and company representatives from the bicycle industry presented in Friedrichshafen the current figures from the industry.
More new bikes in 2008
The German Association of Bicycle Wholesalers and Exporters (ZGA) reported domestic deliveries of 2.842 million bicycles by the end of July, 2008. This exceeded the results from the previous year by one percent. The previous year's domestic deliveries, calculated by taking the domestic production, adding imports and subtracting exports, was 2.813 million bicycles by the end of June.
Domestic production rose from 1.503 million bicycles to 1.658 million. But this increase in production of 150,000 units went completely into exports, which showed significant growth. In the first six months of the year, 590,000 bicycles were exported, compared to 328,000 during the same period the previous year.
Bicycle imports in the first half of the year rose from 1.638 million units in 2007 to 1.774 million imported bicycles in 2008, which corresponds to an increase of 8.3 percent.
Over €3 billion Euro in sales
According to the association, the industry achieved sales of €1.7 billion from bicycles and an additional €1.45 billion from repairs, accessories and replacement parts - making for a market with a total volume of over €3 billion. The bicycle industry also enjoyed particularly good sales in the after-sales area. This is where the increased use of bicycles has had a significant effect. Although concrete figures for this market segment are not yet available, consultations with companies that are active in the component and accessory segment have fully confirmed this market observation. Without a doubt, rising bicycle component and accessory sales also go hand in hand with higher repair shop sales among retailers.
General figures
In comparison with the rest of Europe, the German bicycle industry is in a strong position. Together with the retail sector, the industry employs 30,000 people. Bicycle sales reached €1.548 billion in 2006 and €1.686 billion in 2007. The leading import nation in Germany is Taiwan, Poland is in second place, and Thailand has edged out Vietnam to take third place. All in all, the ZGA reports that 4.58 million bicycles were placed on the German market through so-called domestic deliveries. 2.4 million bicycles were manufactured in German plants, 2.75 million came via imports, and nearly 600,000 bicycles were produced in Germany and exported abroad. Domestic production has a 40-percent share of the domestic deliveries, while a 60-percent market share goes to imports.
Popular types of bicycles
Trekking bikes are doing particularly well, making up 32 percent of all sales, followed by city bikes and mountain bikes. Electric bikes are quickly gaining in popularity, with strong growth rates reported in many European countries. The association anticipates sales of e-bikes to reach 100,000 units.
There is even more good news for the retail sector: An increasing number of bicycles are being purchased from specialists, who have a market share of 59 percent. In absolute terms, retailers even account for 78 percent of the bikes sold. On the other hand, large chains such as department stores, home improvement stores and discounters reported declining sales. The average price for all sales outlets was €370 per bike. In bicycle shops, however, sales averaged €440 per bicycle. "We predict rising average prices for the retail trade in the future as well," says Christoph Goebel.
68 million bikes
Over the past ten years, the number of mountain bikes, city and sports bikes has risen from 62 million to the current figure of 68 million bicycles. 81 percent of all households own a bicycle. That is a ten percent rise over the year 2000.
EUROBIKE 2008 sets a new record
The 17th EUROBIKE bicycle trade show (4-7 September 2008) is the meeting place for the international industry. With 936 exhibitors, and 71 percent of these from abroad, the trade show has set a new record. Open House Day is on Sunday, 7 September 2008. From 4-6 September, the trade show is open exclusively for trade visitors.
from: http://www.eurobike-exhibition.de
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