INTERSPORT increases its worldwide retail sales to over EURO 8.5 billion in 2007 and will continue to grow in 2008, especially in Football

06.06.2008 | With its presence predominantly in Europe and Canada, the INTERSPORT Group has increased its retail sales for the 39th year in a row, reaching with EURO 8.54 billion an increase of 2% over the previous year. Due to the forthcoming European Football Championship, the Olympic Summer Games as well as the steady sales increases in the INTERSPORT key areas of Running, Outdoor and Fitness, 2008 looks as though it will be a positive year for INTERSPORT. It is anticipated to achieve an increase of 20% on Football retail sales to a good EUR 850 million.

The INTERSPORT Group, active in 35 countries, achieved retails sales of EURO 8.54 billion in 2007. This amounts to an increase of 2% over 2006 (EURO 8.37 billion). Retail sales of Exclusive Brands reached EURO 1.55 billion; accounting for 18% of all retail sales (no increase/decrease over 2006).

Sales from the national Licensees (stock sales, central settlement/bonus business) reached EURO 4.08 billion in 2007, an increase of 1% compared to 2006 (EURO 4.04 billion). Therefore, INTERSPORT Licensees were able to cover 95% of their affiliated retailers product needs.

Although no additional licence agreements were concluded in 2007, the expansion continued in INTERSPORT's traditional countries as well as in new markets. With 143 new shops, the INTERSPORT Group has more than 5'049 points of sale. In the Eastern European countries, INTERSPORT now has 237 shops with a sales surface of more than 250'000 square meters.

Despite the bad winter weather, the value of the European sporting goods retail market increased by approx. 1% in 2007 from EURO 37 billion (2006) to EURO 37.5 billion. The INTERSPORT Group is able to keep its market share of 19% in Europe. The Group is the clear market leader and maintains its position as the world’s leading sports retailer.

In the first quarter 2007 with the exception of Canada and the Scandinavian countries, retail sales suffered a great deal after the mild winter weather. Nevertheless, a part from the winter product categories satisfactory sales results were achieved in particular in Running, Walking, Football and Outdoor, but also in areas such as Bike and Inline-Skates. The early spring not only led to good sales, but in many countries it also helped to make up for the low winter retail sales by the middle of 2007.

In the third and fourth quarters good results were achieved in most markets with an increase of 2-4% over the previous year.

Franz Julen, CEO of IIC - INTERSPORT International Corp. is optimistic: „Despite the missing winter and although we had to match with the excellent football sales of the World Cup 2006, we were able to increase our retail sales again in 2007. Considering the state of economy is quite difficult in some countries and the consumer behaviour cautious, we are confident in a prosperous 2008."

The outlook on 2008 is positive indeed. This past winter was better than last year. The product categories Running, Fitness and Outdoor continue to have increasing sales. INTERSPORT is and remains the world's largest football retailer. In the year of the Football World Cup, the INTERSPORT Group achieved football retail sales of EUR 710 million. Due to the positive turnover in the past few months as well as the orders on hand for the rest of the year, there will be a growth of 20% compared to 2006, a turnover of EUR 850 million. As in 2006, the football products and marketing strategies will be implemented with a strong emphasis on our partners adidas, Nike, Puma and the INTERSPORT Exclusive Brand PRO TOUCH. In addition, INTERSPORT is the Official Sports Shop of the Licensed Products of UEFA EURO 2008 with more than EURO 1'200 EURO shops in 26 countries. INTERSPORT Austria and INTERSPORT Switzerland are exclusively responsible for the sale of licensed products in all stadia and fan zones. The Olympic Games will surely also have a positive influence on the 2008 retail sales.