You are in:
Brooks claims to outrun market
Running specialist claims to steal market share from rivals after increasing sales despite struggling running market in 2010
Brooks said it saw sales increase 22 per cent in 2010, which appeared to beat a general view of stagnation in the running market.
Speaking at an event to introduce members of the sports and running press to Brooks’ spring/summer 2011 collection, including the new Trance 10 running shoe and the next stage of its DNA cushioning system which is now available in a full length formation in certain shoe styles, sales manager Martin Exley said the 2010 sales increase followed an increase in 2009, both years deemed to be part of the global downturn.
Brooks works with specialist running retailers, and Exley said the general view from that sector is that sales in the running market in 2010 were flat or down. This, he said, could indicate that the Brooks sales increase means it stole market share from other running shoe brands.
As a caveat, Exley said that the overall market view it has been given doesn’t include sales through larger chain retailers as it doesn’t deal with them. He also noted that the increasing volume of sales now processed online may have skewed the perceived value of the running market in the eyes of specialists.
“Our focus on working with specialists makes it easier for us to increase our business,” Exley said.
“We want people to run happier. It doesn’t matter where you finish, as long as you finish the race with a smile on your face.”
