BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Despite a lacklustre start to 2010 due to poor weather in Europe and North America, Shimano went on to record a 17 per cent rise in sales from its bicycle component lines over the year.
The rise saw component sales hit 169,409 million yen in 2010, while operating income rose 56.1 per cent to 31,032 million yen. Bicycle inventory adjustments started in 2009 were complete by early fiscal year 2010.
A range of products introduced by Shimano in Q2 – particularly the new 105 series for road bikes, Deore XT and SLX for MTB components – saw brisk sales, according to the firm. In Q3 the fully remodelled XTR flagship series for mountain bikes also buoyed sales. In the final quarter, sales for 2011 spring models were brisk, said Shimano.
In terms of outlook for 2011, Shimano said it expects continuing robust growth in China, India and other emerging economies. It did sound a note of caution for the European, US and other ‘advanced’ countries, territories that are, the firm said, undermined by the credit crunch and rising unemployment. To combat those concerns Shimano said it planned to ‘take the lead in the creation of new cycling culture’.
