Fantastic weather and optimal conditions in the ski resorts made winter sports enthusiasts' hearts beat faster. INTERSPORT Austria therefore looks back on a pleasingly positive first half of the fiscal year.
Intersport draws a positive conclusion for the 2024/25 winter business, in which ski rental remains a key growth driver and continued to develop strongly with an increase of 17%. "Skiing is a cultural asset in Austria, and this is clearly cultivated by families and future generations. Intersport locations in the tourist regions recorded record demand, especially during the Christmas and semester breaks. This was particularly evident for rental equipment, but also for ski equipment sales.", says Franz Koll, Managing Director of Intersport Austria, satisfied.
A look at individual product categories reveals how closely the sporting goods trade is linked to the weather. While cross-country skiing equipment, bobsleighs, and sleds were in low demand due to the low snowfall in the valleys, winter hardware such as alpine skis, ski boots, poles, helmets, and protectors performed very well. “The icy cold in January and February also created perfect conditions on the local lakes – ice skates sold like hotcakes this winter,” "The last few winters have been quite challenging for the sporting goods retail industry," emphasizes Koll. Now Intersport has further sharpened its services and responded to consumers' needs for affordable offers for children with the Pistenflitzer seasonal rental service. “We are overwhelmed by the huge success of the Pistenflitzer seasonal rental in its first year. The offer was sensationally well received, and well over 4,000 ski rentals were completed – a clear sign that the youngsters are hitting the slopes with great enthusiasm. Already, one in three children's skis is rented rather than purchased in urban areas." Marketing Director Johannes Kastenhuber also confirms the success. The Pistenflitzer season rental is an attractive offer for families, ensuring that even the little ones get their money's worth while skiing. The package includes top-quality skis, ski boots if needed, and additional services such as insurance against breakage and theft, discounted lift tickets, and a free ski service. Season rentals run from November to April.
Running, fitness and team sports: Great potential for year-round sports
Sport doesn't know bad weather or excessively cold temperatures – the growth in running, fitness, and team sports proves this. Even in the winter months, more and more people are staying active and integrating sport into their daily lives – whether on or off the slopes. "It's not the weather that matters, but the right equipment. We see great potential in the year-round categories.", says Franz Koll and adds: "The trend toward 'winter running,' i.e., running in winter, has been emerging for some time now. People are drawn to the fresh air and nature. This development has given us a substantial increase in running shoes. I'm also pleased that the fitness sector is picking up again. We've reached saturation point after the coronavirus pandemic, and we're seeing growth again."
This year, Intersport is placing a special focus on running.Running is booming because it's so diverse – from recreational runners to competitive athletes, there's something for everyone. Another thing that makes the sport so popular: you simply lace up your shoes and you're ready to go – no matter when or where you are. With our diverse product range and our sponsorship commitment – for example, with the Wings for Life Run, which takes place this year on May 4th, or regional events like the Traunsee Half Marathon or the Wels Business Run – we are actively supporting this development. Our goal is to further foster enthusiasm for running and inspire even more people to take up the sport., explains Johannes Kastenhuber, Marketing Director of Intersport Austria. The diversity of the sport is particularly evident in running – from classic recreational running to trail running and new combined competition formats like Hyrox.
Running trends: Gravel running shoes and AI-supported running analysis
Alongside traditional road and trail running, gravel running is establishing itself as a new facet of running. Gravel running shoes combine the advantages of trail and road running shoes – much like gravel bikes – as versatile all-rounders for a variety of surfaces. These shoes offer a robust sole with good grip to provide support on loose surfaces and are often more stable and durable than regular road running shoes – perfect for varied terrain. In addition, running shoes are increasingly placing emphasis on materials and personalized cushioning systems that take the individual running style and needs of the wearer into account. "At Intersport, we take this individualization into account with our own AI-supported running analysis. It's all about finding the right running shoe to match your running style. This reduces the risk of injury and allows runners to fully exploit their performance potential," Koll is convinced.
Breathability, moisture management, and a perfect fit are paramount in running apparel. Natural functional fabrics like merino wool are also here to stay. They effectively wick away sweat, dry quickly, and ensure maximum comfort. Depending on the season and weather conditions, the weather resistance of the clothing and reflective elements also play an important role. Sustainable fashion continues to be a key trend, and tech accessories such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, and running apps are also becoming increasingly important to meet the needs of modern runners.
Intersport Rent: Growth potential in bike rental
Even outside of the winter season, the rental locations remain an important cornerstone for Intersport. Intersport Rent is experiencing a continuously increasing demand for bike rentals in more and more regions; especially in destinations with well-developed trails and bike paths, the rental business is a key component of the summer business. E-bikes are particularly in demand, as they comfortably cover longer distances and make cycling attractive to a broader target group. As in winter, rental customers in summer also primarily come from Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria. "Compared to ski rental, bike rental accounts for a smaller share of revenue. However, we see that demand is high in regions with good bike infrastructure. There is still a lot of untapped potential to increase value creation in Austria. This is one reason why we are actively committed to the expansion of pump tracks, trails, and entire bike parks.", emphasizes Franz Koll. The School of Pump will also be starting up again in April and will be inviting kids and young people to try out pump tracks and gain confidence on their bikes under professional guidance at six stops throughout Austria.
Sports enthusiasm from an early age: Intersport Pixi book
With the second edition of the Intersport Pixi book, the company continues its initiative to inspire enthusiasm for exercise even in the youngest children. The book introduces children to the joy of sports in a playful way and will be available in selected Intersport stores. With this, Intersport once again underscores its commitment to establishing sports as an integral part of families' lives. Kastenhuber emphasizes: "With the publication of the Pixi book, we not only want to encourage enthusiasm for exercise, but also lay the foundation for a sustainably active lifestyle for children. It is important to us to establish sport as an integral part of family life and everyday life – and to do so in a way that protects the environment and considers the needs of future generations.."