Pro Content

Spanish Boardsports Market Insight April 2021

Boardsports that do not depend on a ski resort are still riding the popularity wave. Nothing indicates that this shall stop any time soon. Stock management, whether how to source it or how to clear it, is the main concern for retailers right now. By Rocio Enriquez.

The Winter 2021 forecast recently released by the European Commission places Spain at the forefront of Europe’s economic growth. Still, it won’t be enough to take it to pre-pandemic levels. This will have to wait until late 2022, at least. As the country gradually steps into normality, key factors will arise that may affect this forecast. For example, when government aid is phased out there might be an increase in companies with solvency problems. The Spanish government is counting on the European recovery fund to placate this. Another key factor will be the reactivation of tourism. A main contributor to Spain’s GDP, it is the sector that has suffered the most, due to travelling restrictions. Fingers are crossed for mobility bans fully lifted soon.

At the moment, the third wave of infections has subsided. Hospitality businesses are calling for the lifting of restrictions. The government has learned its lesson from last Summer, though, and chosen to listen to the medical advisors. Mobility will be restricted between regions in order to avoid virus superspreader events. This restriction only affects Spaniards, though. Foreign visitors can travel into Spain for the Easter holidays, as long they abide to the rules once there.

With a good snow forecast for the Easter week, snowboard retailers were hoping to get enough sales to save the season. The regional mobility restrictions will not help. Even if they get some foreigners allowed to fly in, it’s not comparable to the nationals that come from other provinces. The situation for other boardsports is completely different. Water boardsports and skateboarding are still welcoming newcomers by the day, and they are mostly locals. “People come to try surf, wing or foil and get hooked”, says Amelia Cano of Pipeline Shop in Mallorca.

Guillermo Colomer, of PlayGop distribution, says: “Every boardsport that does not depend on a ski resort is growing”. He also admits that we will have to wait until next season to see if this popularity affects snowboarding too. Ricard Mombiedro of Mombisurf in Val d’Aran agrees. “It was a strange season that has not allowed us to appreciate if snowboarding is going to enjoy the same popularity as other boardsports”, he says. Splitboarding experienced a surge at the beginning of the season, but it did not continue. There is a disparity between the 2020 stock sitting in snowboarding stores and the scarcity problems faced by skateboarding and water boardsports retailers.

Jaime Herráiz of WET store in Tarifa says: “Lately, the biggest challenge has been to get enough stock from suppliers”. The influx of large numbers of new adepts has contributed to stock disruptions. Brands and retailers have adjusted the workflow, submitting pre-orders with much more time to secure well-timed deliveries. Retailers are ordering plenty too. Amelia shares with us that she decided to take risks and pre-order more than usual. Thanks to that, and even though some brands are already warning of delays in deliveries, she will have the stock she needs for the Summer. Jaime also appreciates a change in the information flow from factories and suppliers. It is now more detailed and frequent, which helps him plan medium-term shipping and invoicing.

The situation is, as we can expect, totally different for snowboarding businesses. Online sales contributed to some extent, but it was no replacement for in-store sales. Ricard explains that his online shop is merely a support for his brick and mortar one. He cannot compete with specialised online businesses. He doesn’t have the low prices and discount capabilities that they have. Guillermo explains that many of his retailers have set up online shops as a sort of virtual window display for those who couldn’t physically visit the store. Some stores won’t stand the pressure and will shut down or stop retailing snowboarding products. The remaining ones will have enough 2020 and 2021 stock to endure next season. Brands and distributors can expect a considerable decrease in pre-orders as a result.

Back to the sunny side of board sports, everything points to a continued increase in popularity of skateboarding and water board sports. For these stores, Summer is looking good. This is, providing they have done their share of forecast and pre-ordered plenty and in good time. Both in stock scarcity and surplus there are lessons to be learned. Brands will have to think of long-term strategies to keep the industry in good health. Guillermo says: “We are facing important changes in the way we trade. New challenges, new ways of selling. We need to offer constant advice”.