French Bike Market Hit by Declining Consumer's Confidence

PARIS, France – Due to widespread uncertainty on the country’s economy, which resulted in a drop in French household spending; revenues on the French bike market declined by 5% during the first half of 2010. Some bike categories saw a decline in sales while others remained popular and recorded an increase in turn-over.

These findings are the outcome of a national survey conducted by the French industry organization Tous à Vélo among retailers in close cooperation with the Federation of Professional Business Sport and Recreation.

The bicycle sold as a mobility product is on the rise in France as the market for city bikes showed a small increase of plus 1% in revenue. Sales of trekking and hybrid bikes grew money-wise by a big 9% related to 2009. Between January and July the relatively small segment of BMX bikes expanded by 14%, also in revenue.

The biggest drops in turn-over were recorded in all the sports categories led by road racers which dropped 11%. Overall money-wise sports bikes (including MTBs) declined between 3% and 5% during the first half of this year.

The survey also indicates that retailers are very cautious on the outlook for the second half of 2010. Over 80% of the repondents of the survey expect that overall the bike business will be down on the already meager 2009 results.