Image credit:

Messe München GmbH

Image credit:

Messe München GmbH

06/11/2025

Voices of the industry: these trends are shaping retail

We need your consent to enable the rating function!

This feature is only available when corresponding consent is given. Please read the details and accept the service to enable rating function.

Rate

Bookmark

Current trends such as the increasing demand for sustainability, a stronger focus on community and the use of new technologies are shaping sports retail. ISPO asked leading experts from the industry such as Mike Massey (Locally), Stephan Buschmann (Jack Wolfskin) and Andreas Schulz (Fidlock) what retail will look like in the future. Their answers make one thing clear: sports retail is facing a turning point. It is crucial to remain flexible and adapt marketing strategies to both current and future trends.

The ISPO Retail Initiative supports this change, offers orientation and accompanies retailers on their way into the future. Year-round access to exclusive data and current market analyses, strong networks and direct exchange with leading brands along the entire value chain - with the Retail Club, ISPO is creating a central platform for all retailers who want to actively shape change in the sports market.

Author: ISPO.com

Demand for sustainability, a stronger focus on community and the use of new technologies are shaping sports retail. According to a recent study by ResearchAndMarkets.com, European sporting goods retail will grow to 391.7 billion US dollars by 2032, with an annual growth rate of 8.1%. These developments offer enormous opportunities, but also pose challenges.

The ISPO Retail Initiative supports this change, provides orientation and accompanies retailers on their way into the future. Year-round access to exclusive data and current market analyses, strong networks and direct exchange with leading brands along the entire value chain - with the Retail Club, ISPO is creating a central platform for all retailers who want to actively shape change in the sports market.

Strong figures for strong trading:

Fakten zu Retail — Image credit:
ispo.com

Andreas Schulz

Head of Marketing, Fidlock

Every year, ISPO is an excellent opportunity for us to exchange ideas with industry partners in person and receive direct feedback from the market.

David Ekelund

CEO, Icebug

ISPO is part of the history and future of Icebug. For us, it's a great meeting place and marketplace. We look forward to being there again this year and doing our part to make it even better.

Mike Massey

Founder & CEO, Locally

Retailers need to be investing in the shoppers that are walking in their stores. That's where all of their profit is going to come from.

Stephan Buschmann

Director Customer Service, JACK WOLFSKIN

People don't buy the product itself but they buy the story, they buy the emotion, they buy the passion [...] So if you ask me I would say emotions are selling.

These voices from the industry make it clear: expectations in retail are rising. What counts is not just what is sold, but how. Experiences, storytelling and approachability are becoming success factors. Those who position themselves flexibly now will use the change as an opportunity. ISPO 2025, the international flagship event of the global sports industry, will continue to drive this change. Be there and actively shape the future of sports retail. From 30. NOV. - 02. DEZ. in Munich.

Author: ISPO.com