Intersport Austria Powers Ahead as Winter Sports, E-Bikes and E-Commerce Drive Record Growth

Austria's largest sporting goods retailer has delivered another strong year, underlining the continued resilience of the country's outdoor and winter sports market. Intersport Austria increased revenue by six per cent in its 2025/26 financial year, reaching approximately €690 million, with skiing, cycling and digital retail emerging as the key engines of growth.

Speaking against the backdrop of a challenging retail environment, Managing Director Franz Koll attributed the performance to the company's increasingly diversified business model, which combines a strong specialist store network with rapidly expanding online operations. Intersport reported growth across both urban markets and major tourism destinations, demonstrating the continuing strength of Austria's active lifestyle and mountain sports sectors.

Winter Sports Remain the Cornerstone

While many European retailers continue to face economic uncertainty, winter sports once again proved to be Intersport Austria's most important growth driver. Sales across winter categories increased by more than 11 per cent during the financial year, highlighting the enduring appeal of skiing and snow-based activities in Austria's alpine markets.

The result reinforces Austria's position as one of Europe's most mature winter sports economies. Intersport's strength in equipment sales, rental services and seasonal hire programmes, particularly for children, helped fuel performance across the sector.

For the wider snowsports industry, the figures offer further evidence that specialist retailers with strong service capabilities continue to outperform broader sporting goods channels, especially in mountain regions where expert advice and equipment fitting remain critical to the customer experience.

Bike Segment Hits New High

Cycling remains another major pillar of growth. Intersport's bike division recorded a seven per cent increase in sales and achieved a new revenue record. Particularly notable is the continued expansion of the e-bike market, which has fundamentally reshaped purchasing patterns across Central Europe.

According to the company, 53 per cent of all adult bicycles sold during the year were electrically assisted, compared with 36 per cent in 2018/19. The figures demonstrate how e-bikes have moved from a niche category to a mainstream element of the sporting goods market.

Intersport credits not only product demand but also its broader ecosystem of workshop services, expert consultation and bicycle leasing programmes for sustaining momentum in the category.

Digital Retail Delivers Fastest Growth

Perhaps the most striking statistic from the results was the continued acceleration of online sales. Intersport Austria's digital business grew by more than 35 per cent, making it the company's fastest-growing sales channel.

The performance reflects changing consumer behaviour, with increasingly seamless integration between physical stores and online platforms becoming a central requirement for sports retailers. Despite the rapid growth of e-commerce, the company continues to generate the vast majority of sales through its store network, highlighting the enduring relevance of specialist retail locations.

Building a Regional Powerhouse

Beyond the headline sales figures, Intersport spent the year strengthening its strategic foundations. The acquisition of the Intersport Slovenia Group in April 2026 expanded the Austria-led organisation to more than 500 locations across 12 countries in Central and South Eastern Europe. The enlarged group now generates around €1 billion in annual revenue.

The acquisition significantly enhances Intersport Austria's influence within the wider international Intersport network and creates opportunities for greater purchasing power, improved private-label development and operational efficiencies.

Logistics Expansion Supports Future Growth

A major component of that strategy is the company's expanded logistics centre in Wels, where additional investment has increased capacity to around 40,000 square metres. The facility now serves not only Austria but also several international markets within the group's growing regional footprint.

The upgraded distribution hub supports both store replenishment and e-commerce fulfilment, while greater automation and centralisation are expected to improve efficiency and create room for future expansion.

Outlook

Intersport Austria's latest results illustrate the continued strength of outdoor recreation, cycling and winter sports participation across the Alpine region. With a broader international presence, a rapidly growing online business and a modernised logistics infrastructure, the retailer appears well positioned to maintain its growth trajectory.

For the snow sports industry in particular, the company's double-digit winter business growth serves as another reminder that specialist expertise, premium service and deep connections to mountain communities remain powerful competitive advantages in an evolving retail landscape.