By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter
Sales of various types of bicycles and other outdoor sport equipment during summer improved significantly in 2013 compared with the previous years, a manager of a leading multi-brand sports store operating in Qatar has told Gulf Times. |
“Though our bicycle sales used to go down between 40% and 60% as summer approaches, the increasing number of enthusiasts and sports events organised by various groups in the country has helped boost sales of different outdoor sport equipment including accessories, shoes and apparel during this time of the year,” he explained.
The official noted that his outlet recorded a 20% increase in sales on all outdoor equipment last summer compared with the figures in 2012.
“Many outdoor competitions attract residents to try exciting physical activities such as biking,” said the manager, who also joins bike races of the Qatar Chain Reaction (QCR) in Duhail, Dukhan and Lusail.
The number of bikers participating in these events has doubled in the past months from 50 to 100 people. This was due to the races and events held almost every other week during the second week of October up to this month.
Some groups hold weekly rides at night or often early morning on Fridays in the summer.
The manager expects their sales to go up this year citing Qatar’s growing population and the country’s vision to become an international sports hub.
While demand on some outdoor sport equipment is expected to go down in the coming weeks, the demand on indoor and water sport equipment has started to shoot up.
“Our sales on bikes have dropped, from 40 units per week to 29 this month, but people are now buying tread mills and cross trainers ranging from QR2,500 to QR10,000,” he noted.
The company, and its competitors, have started bringing more indoor and water sport equipment to its stores in Doha. Kayak, wakeboarding, and jet-skiing are among the favourite activities of some Qataris and European expatriates, held mostly at the Sealine Beach Resort in Mesaieed, the beach area at Katara and Corniche, and at the Old Reef.
It was observed that stocks on shoes, apparel, and accessories for table tennis, badminton, basketball, volleyball, darts, billiards and indoor football have increased this month.
He said the demand for some equipment used for recreational activities such as camping and fishing also shoots up during the short intervals between the summer and winter season.
Many sports shops are running out of suits and belts for taekwondo and mixed martial arts, which are a big hit among both children and adults.
While total sales during summer is increasing, the manager stressed that their revenue in winter remains to be considerably high given that the weather goes well with almost all types of sport activities, whether indoor or outdoor.
Besides tournaments and other competitions, the widely-celebrated Qatar National Sport Day in February has also encouraged many residents to involve themselves in various physical activities.