Sporting equipment sales surge

Sales of sporting equipment by some retailers rose last year, according to one sport shop in Dubai.

Carl deVilliers, owner-manager of Surf Shop Dubai in Al Barsha 1, said sales of sports equipment are on the upswing due in part to returning customer confidence.

"We've seen a huge amount of growth in our business," said deVilliers. "Percentage wise, we've seen 20 per cent growth. We're definitely seeing more consumer confidence in our business."

Expats comprise the largest share of Surf Shop Dubai's business, he said, following a noticeable turnover in former expat customers who have since moved home and newly arrived workers in the country.

The more popular items being purchased, deVilliers said, are surf-boards and stand-up paddle boards.

According to a report by GlobalTrade.net, an online publication of the Federation of International Trade Associations (Fita), demand for sports by expats is driving a market that is expected to grow in years to come.

"The Middle East sporting goods and stadium equipment market alone is today worth $2 billion (Dh7.34 billion), with a share of 2.5 per cent of the global market. Its incremental growth rate of 23 per cent each year has been attracting a number of importers to the region," the report said.

"The Middle East has been billed as one of the world's fastest growing regions for travel and tourism. Dubai alone has forecast a target of 15 million visitors by 2010, making the Middle East a prime destination for the sports, fitness-health and leisure industry."

The biggest segment of residents wanting sports-related products and services is the expatriate community.

"The UAE has a population of 4.5 million of which 85 per cent are expatriates. With tax-free income and one of the world's highest per capita incomes, the country's leisure retail outlets will increase dramatically," Fita said.

"Moreover the extensive involvement of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in every conceivable sport and leisure activity would lead to an increase in activity in this sector of industry."

The variety of sports being pursued is vast in the UAE, the report said.

"Scores of other sports — from football, cricket, chess, rugby, shooting, polo, basketball, volleyball, badminton to pigeon racing, ice skating, Formula One indoor, go-carting, sailing, sand surfing, water sports [to] motor sports — enjoy increasing popularity and participation leading to increased demand for sporting equipment."