From a population of 5.3 million, walking and cycling are the most popular participant sports in Finland, with nearly two million Fins categorised as regular walkers. Cross-country skiing, swimming and running are also very popular, but in terms of growth, golf is Finland’s third-fastest growing sport after Nordic walking and gym training. Today in Finland there are approximately 130,000 golfers and 150 golf courses.
Finland was once a commercial bridge between Western Europe and Communist Russia, but when the Soviet Union collapsed it led to a Finnish recession. The country’s economy has since recovered, and the Finnish retail chain Golf Center has grown popular with Russian and Estonian visitors.
In terms of golf apparel and footwear sales, the Finnish market is limited as its season is short, inbound golf tourism is minimal, and many Finnish golfers head to sunnier climes for their golf, often spending their golf shopping budgets abroad.
Golf imports into Finland were valued at €8.4 million in 2008, with the UK, the Netherlands and Sweden the primary suppliers. The total golf apparel market in Finland was estimated to be worth around €10 million in 2008, with golf footwear worth approximately €4 million.
Finland’s biggest homespun apparel brand is Rukka, which is reported to generate annual sales of less than €5 million, of which 90% comes from other European markets. Nike Golf and Peak Performance lead the popularity stakes in apparel, with FootJoy, adidas, Nike and Ecco dominant in footwear.
Further information on the golf retail trade is available in the BGIA report.
The BGIA’s three-part study into the European Golf Apparel and Footwear Market is available to purchase either in full, by individual volume or by individual country. Please email info@bgia.org.uk or call 02476 414 999 x207 for full information on the recently discounted report prices and to request executive summaries.
