French Market Down for 3rd Consecutive Year

PARIS, France – The bicycle sector proved to be more resilient than other sectors in France such as powered two-wheelers or cars in 2010. However, the total turnover made with the sale of new bicycles and P&A which amounted to close to 1.3 billion euro, reflects a decrease for the third consecutive year.

With 3,031,300 bicycles sold in 2010 (excluding internet sales), France is (money-wise) still the fourth largest European market after Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. According to the French industry organization Conseil National des Profession du Cycle (CNPC and Tous à Vélo) bicycle sales in 2010 were down 3.5% compared to 2009.

Cycling mobility by city bikes, e-bikes, folding bikes continued to grow. In 2010 these mobility bike categories accounted for 27% of the total sale of bicycles 17% in 2000. Such significant increases were mainly the result of rising sales of e-bikes. This market segment showed a dramatic increase of more than 60% last year and now accounts for nearly 40,000 units annually. Also folding bikes are also becoming increasingly popular in France, with sales up over 76%!

The market share of bicycles for recreational use continued to decline but remained substantial in volume. In the past decade the market share for recreational bikes declined from 73% in 2000 to 63% last year. MTB styled bicycles and kids bikes still make up nearly 50% of this segment. The sports market remained stable around 10% thanks to sales growth of high end road racing and mountain bikes.

Sales of components and accessories for bicycles (wheels, tyres, pedals, brakes, lights, locks, pumps, helmets) were down by 4% compared to 2009, representing 486 million euro, or nearly 40 % of total turnover in the French bike sector.

Distribution

The independent bicycle dealers consolidated their position as the leading economic player in this sector with 51.5% of total turnover (bicycles and accessories), representing an increase of 2.5% compared to 2009. Multisports supermarkets remain the leading distributor in the number of bicycles sold with 51% of the total. Their turnover in bicycles and accessories stood at 38% of the 2010 total for the sector. Finally, the food supermarkets’ position continued to decline to only 10% of the total market, a decrease of 8.5% compared to 2009, and only 25% of the market volume.

The French industry organization CNPC further notes in its recently published annual report that in 2010, 75% of all bikes sold in France was imported. And that the French industry represents only 25% of the international industry, whereas it still represented 35% just five years ago.