Polish retail market for sports goods to grow 10%

According to a latest report by the Central Bureau of Statistics, the Polish retail market for sports goods is set to rebound this year. The growth rate is predicted at nearly 10%, which will be an all-time high.  In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic resulted in negative retail growth rates in Poland and internationally. This was due both to a decrease in consumer spending from increased fear of disease as well as the introduction of restrictions on movement across borders. However, it seems that retailers have been able to bounce back with these new changes coming into place and are now seeing more success than ever before.

Sports goods sales in 2020

Intro: The Polish market of sports items is among the most dynamic, as for this year it has been estimated that it will grow by 4% compared to last year. This means that the decline in values of sports goods sales was relatively low compared to other retail segments.  Among others, a popularisation of amateur sporting activities during the lockdown period and closure of sports facilities were factors which influenced on this result. Besides, according to experts from Retail Institute, fashion’s deformalisation (tracksuits sneakers) as well as growing popularity of nature trips and camping tourism have also contributed to these results.

Internet sales in the sporting goods market

Intro: With many people opting to stay at home during the coronavirus pandemic, internet sales of items such as sporting goods grew by nearly 50%. The growth was so fast that by 2020, internet (sales through e-commerce stores and shopping platforms) had become the largest channel in this market segment.  In 2020, 36% of all purchases for sports goods were made online. This trend can be attributed to a number of factors including easier access to information on sports gear and better prices than those offered in physical stores. For more information on how online shopping has impacted other industries like retail clothing please see our press release from January 2019 entitled "Online Shopping is Killing Retail Clothing."