European retailers cautiously optimistic about 2012 tradeEurope’s angling retailers are remaining cautiously optimistic about trading prospects for the year ahead, according to a survey in the latest issue of
Angling International.
As manufacturers begin making their plans for EFTTEX, the message from retailers in the three biggest European economies, Germany, France and the UK, is that anglers will still buy tackle in 2012 but there is a continued trend towards high value, low cost items.
Manufacturers that adapt to the new realities of the market will prosper, the retailers say. Those that do not move with the times, or who are already struggling to make a profit, will find the next year extremely challenging.
For those manufacturers preparing to showcase new products at EFTTEX, the advice is clear, especially from host nation France.
Laurent Vallenet, the Director General of French retail group
Europêche, says: “The market has changed. Anglers are looking harder for the best prices and they are buying fewer high investment products like rods and reels.
“It’s important to react. When there is less available money then you have to adapt and make less expensive products available.”
Bertrand Bouis agrees. As the International Fishing Range Manager of
Caperlan, the angling brand sold through the Decathlon chain of stores, he also offers some extra advice to manufacturers.
Says Bouis: “Anglers will focus their spend on products that have a real promise of high added value. For that reason, I think that even if the environment becomes tough there will always be a place for innovative brands that provide something very new.
“In the year ahead, companies will need to be more and more innovative with their products and also the way they sell them.
Paul Devlin, the MD of the
Glasgow Angling retail chain in the UK, says there are still opportunities for growth – for the strongest businesses. He says: “Whilst people are spending less, and more cautiously, there is still a lot of business to be won and it will be the survival of the fittest.
“I am very optimistic about the future for my business. We are still growing and reaping the benefits of constant reinvestment in our infrastructure.”
Meanwhile, the message from Germany is even more upbeat. Dieter Willenbruch, the man behind the
Fisherman’s Partner franchise operation, says: “We are closely involved in the retail business in Germany and Austria – two markets which are doing very well.
Read more here...ATA warning on illegal lead shotThe Angling Trades Association – the UK’s industry body – is urging fishermen to avoid buying lead weights in illegal sizes. The call comes after it conducted research into the sale of lead shot on the internet and in ‘pound shops’. This revealed that some illegal weights are being offered for sale, leaving both sellers and buyers liable to prosecution. Since 1986 lead fishing weights of between 0.06g and 28.35g (No6 shot to 1oz) have been banned from sale and use in the UK.
Naidre Werner,
Chairman of the ATA, said: “Anglers have a long and proud record of environmental responsibility. Nevertheless, among the millions who fish each year will be some people who are unfamiliar with the lead weight regulations and might – through ignorance – break the law. “The ATA is encouraging every angler to check tackle carefully to ensure it meets the regulations...
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