China's Outdoor Sports Retail Expected To Grow, Especially Domestic Brands

Sales of outdoor sports products, such as clothing, footwear and camping gear in China "are expected to continue growing, as they get boosts from the increase of vehicle ownership and the popularity of outdoor activities," according to Wang Zhuoqiong of the CHINA DAILY. Retail sales of outdoor products have kept an annual growth rate of more than 40% in the past five years. Outdoor sports products retailer in China Sanfo Outdoor Product Co. Ltd. GM Zhang Heng said that this year the growth rate is expected to slow down to 20-30%. Domestic brands' sales "are now rivaling foreign brands, which used to dominate." China has become a major emerging market for int'l outdoor sports brands, "thanks to burgeoning demand." About 75% of the top foreign brands have a presence in China. Zhang said that clothes from North America and footwear brands from Europe "have so far dominated the market" (CHINA DAILY, 8/10).