Sport System Development (SSD), the sole dealer of Italian sportswear company Lotto on the Romanian market has announced sales of 2.4 million euros for the first quarter this year, up over 40% from the same time last year.
Nike and Reebok importers in their turn announced the sales growth had exceeded their expectations this year, which shows the sportswear buying frenzy that began in 2003 is far from over.
The larger supply and the lower prices are the main reasons for the soaring sales, players on the Romanian sportswear market say.
The SSD officials anticipated this year's turnover to be of 6 million euros, that is 25% higher than last year. One quarter through the year, though, the sales have gone up 40%.
"Our expansion is not only intensive but also extensive. The other players on the market are experiencing the same thing. At least four new Lotto mono-brand shops will be opened this year, with the total investment reaching approximately 300,000 euros," Mirela Rosca, SSD chief executive said. She added the first shop this year and also the tenth of this network was opened in Cluj at the end of last month.
Dan Tudose, manager of sales with Kraus & Co., the Reebok dealer on the Romanian market, has one more explanation for the sales growth this year.
"Judging from what I've seen so far, buyers are becoming more and more interested in medium and high-end products. Such products grew faster than those in the lower categories. Furthermore, a larger supply helped boost people's interest in sportswear," Tudose explains.
The company, which operates only as a wholesaler, was expecting more than 3 million-euro turnover, up 25% from last year. "I think we will have to increase stocks, considering the first quarter results and the short-term prospects. Under the circumstances, we will achieve more than we set out to early in the year," Tudose added.
ionut.bonoiu@zf.ro
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