The start of winter is imminent – and with it the most important time for the approximately 750 sporting goods retailers in Austria's tourism regions, who are starting the season with a good mood, good snow and booking situation and their usual great anticipation of the guests.
The start of the season brings with it the same energy that retailers and tourists alike eagerly anticipate each year. For business owners, this is naturally accompanied by a certain amount of tension, as the coming weeks are economically crucial for sporting goods retailers in tourist areas. "The start of the season is a special moment every year. The anticipation for winter is palpable – and it's also a huge boost for us," says Christoph Bründl, spokesperson for ARGE Tourism. "We're entering the coming weeks with great confidence. The snow conditions are good, the mood is positive – and that's a strong foundation for a successful season."„
Winter as a crucial economic phase
For many sports retailers specializing in tourism equipment, the winter season is the most crucial economic factor of the year. High demand for rentals, advice, and service also increases operational costs, as these retailers traditionally generate the majority of their annual revenue during the winter season. Up to 80 percent of sales are generated between December and March – a large portion of which comes from rentals, service, and the individual fitting of skis and ski boots. At the same time, the industry secures around 7,000 jobs in the regions and is therefore an essential part of the tourism value chain.
Economic importance of the industry: "Winter doesn't work without the sports retail trade"„
The sporting goods trade is a central component of Austrian winter tourism – acting as a link between industry, retailers, cable cars, hotels, and guests. More than one billion euros in revenue is generated annually in the tourist regions alone. "Without the rental and service offerings of specialist sporting goods retailers, Austrian winter tourism wouldn't function at this level of quality," emphasizes Bründl. "We are the first point of contact, problem solvers, and guarantors of quality for a perfect guest experience."„
Optimism yes – challenges remain
In addition to the issues of skilled workers and energy costs, the industry is also observing market-wide developments – such as the decline in the number of employees in the entire sporting goods retail sector (-2.9% compared to 2023) and changes in consumer behavior due to the general economic situation. "We want to deliberately send positive signals at the start of the season, even under very difficult economic conditions," Bründl concluded.