A new report has been published that provides businesses with detailed insights into the growing UK outdoor industry. Following a recent survey by Natural England, revealing that more people are spending time in the outdoors, the Profile UK Outdoor Report 2018 offers an unparalleled level of insider knowledge about one of the most buoyant sectors of the UK sports and fashion markets.
The 164-page Profile UK Outdoor Report 2018 includes a comprehensive analysis of performance development and direction in the growing outdoor market, which is now worth over £1.4 billion at retail and is the second largest in Europe. The report provides a snapshot of the current situation and identifies key emerging trends and has been compiled by Profile Outdoors Ltd, which during more than 20 years, has built a reputation as the number one source of reliable market information about the UK outdoor sector.
The Profile UK Outdoor Report 2018 is underpinned by the latest data available from the leading brands, distributors and retailers in the UK. Covering the key categories of clothing, footwear, equipment and accessories, the report pinpoints emerging themes in the market and identifies the factors influencing future development, such as Brexit, changing consumer habits, market consolidation and pricing. It also refers to and reflects wider consumer research and government data, in relation to participation levels and trends across a wide range of activities, helping any organisation that is interested to define the scope of the UK outdoor sector and identify opportunities.
The UK outdoor market was worth £1.4bn at retail in 2017, a 1.4% rise versus 2016. This compares favourably with the previous two years, which had seen a 1% rise and -0.1% drop respectively. In 2017, apparel was worth £838m, footwear £253m and £326.6m and the Profile UK Outdoor Report 2018 contains a more detailed breakdown of those areas and insights into which sub-categories are growing, declining or static. The report also offers profiles and analysis of the key players in the market – brands (including Berghaus, The North Face, Regatta, Hi-Tec, Salomon, Helly Hansen), groups (such as Pentland, Bollin, Sports Direct), and retailers (including JD Sports, GO Outdoors, Blacks, Millets, Ellis Brigham, Snow & Rock).
The publication of the Profile UK Outdoor Report 2018 comes at a time when greater focus is being put on the role that outdoor activities can play in encouraging people to lead more active, healthy lives. UK trade body the Outdoor Industries Association (OIA) leads on the issue and works closely with Sport England to ensure that national policy relating to physical activity promotes participation in outdoor activities. This is also reflected throughout Europe, in the ongoing #itsgreatoutthere campaign, which is supported by the OIA and leading UK outdoor companies. In addition, initiatives such as Ordnance Survey’s National Get Outside Day and the new multi-million-pound ‘Time to Get Out’ national advertising campaign by Berghaus are reaching new consumer audiences with positive messages about the outdoors and strong calls to action.
Peter Luscombe researched and compiled the Profile UK Outdoor Report 2018 and comments: "Despite tough conditions, sales in the UK outdoor market edged up in 2017, helped by a combination of favourable weather and topped off by a cold and snowy autumn, all of which helped drive consumer demand. However, it remains a challenging market place and a general feeling of uncertainly prevails, especially when it comes to future planning.
"Possessing up to date knowledge and data of the key players, trends and growth categories in the outdoor market is essential for any organisation that wants to operate in that space. The Profile UK Outdoor Report 2018 will help any business that has an interest in the sector to understand the market and the factors that are influencing it now, and in the immediate future. This is the most comprehensive and detailed report available for a market that is already worth over £1.4 billion at retail in the UK alone and which continues to grow as consumers - now encouraged by government agencies - increasingly seek a connection with nature as an antidote to some of the trappings of modern life."
The full Profile UK Outdoor Report 2018 costs £955+VAT. For more details and a full list of contents, email info@profileoutdoors.com or view the contents here.
