News Article
Shimano Signals: Bike Inventory only Slightly Higher
TOKYO, Japan – Despite a long winter and a rainy and cold spring coupled with stagnating economies and low consumer confidence, “Inventories of finished bicycles in Europe and North America were slightly high.” This is stated by Shimano Inc. in its financial results report for the first half of 2013.

In this report, at the business segment overview for bicycle components, it is noted further that, “Inventories of bicycle components were at an appropriate level in the EU and US.”
Continued growth in emerging markets
Shimano’s financial report points also to a continued growth in emerging markets, “Sales of sports bicycles have been growing strongly, particularly in China and are continuing to do so this year as well.” In these market conditions shipments from Shimano proceeded as scheduled and bicycle component sales for the first half year fulfilled the forecast.
Bicycle component sales
With that Shimano’s bicycle component sales increased by 8.3% during the first half year of 2013 compared to 2012 to JPY 106,096 million (€ 815.2m). Shimano’s total net sales in the named period stood at JPY 133,106m (€ 1,022.4m); up 7.7% compared to 2012.