While the Dutch economy has recently lagged behind the rest of Europe, it is expected to gather speed slowly. Consumers have cut discretionary spending and Mintel forecasts only modest growth in it. However, demand for sports goods is relatively inelastic and participation levels are growing. We thus expect specialist sales to grow by 16.1% by 2009, the sports sector outperforming both the non-food sector and, indeed, all retailing.

About Mintel’s report

Pooling together the latest market analysis and most sort-after trend data, Mintel’s report offers you a fresh and independent understanding of the sector and its retailers. Use Mintel’s research to inform your investment decisions, guide operating strategy, pinpoint areas of potential and to:

Gain fresh insight into the Dutch sports goods market, its value and trends, its channels of distribution and the factors impacting on its development

Identify the market forces that serve to encourage or restrict market growth

Explore the market performance of specialist and non-specialist sports goods retailers operating in the Netherlands, including Décathlon, Foot Locker, Garant Schuh, INTERSPORT International Corporation and Sport 2000 International

Evaluate leading retailer’s retail strategies and their operating strengths and

Discover ‘what’s next’ for the Dutch sports goods sector with in-depth forecasts put together by Mintel’s skilled analysts.

Intriguing findings include:

The Dutch sports sector has one shop for every 7,623 inhabitants. A fragmented market seems to have considerable scope for consolidation.