Intersport Austria, which provides buying, marketing, supply chain and other services to all Intersport branded stores operating in Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary, reported sales increased 6.5 percent in the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, compared with the prior fiscal year.

Sales reached approximately €500 million driven by 8.6 percent growth in Austria, where sales set a record. Growth was led by a 7.3 percent increase in sales at urban stores and a 10.4 percent increase in  rental sales.
Six new Intersport stores opened in Austria during the fiscal year in St. Pölten, Wörgl two other markets.
Intersport Austria ended the year with 156 dealers operating 345 locations with approximately 200,000 square meters of retail space in Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.

Intersport Austria said online ski rental bookings are running 24 percent ahead of their level last year, which is much more than expected. Demand for good equipment and matching outfits is driving rental sales in Austria, where nearly 180 stores located near or at mountain resorts are now participating in the program.
In addition to Alpine Ski, Bike and Outdoor were also major contributors to the organization's success during the fiscal year.

In Alpine Ski, growth was driven primarily by demand for skis, helmets and ski wear last winter. During the summer, demand for e-bikes, walking shoes, running shoes as well as apparel and fitness products drove sales.

“Leisure time activities in the fresh air and exercise in general are becoming increasingly important for the increasingly health-conscious customers,” said Intersport Austria CEO Mathias Boenke. “Keywords: Balanced work-life balance .”

Boenke said that given Austrian dealers' strong dependence on winter sports, the results were remarkable.
“The results in Austria shows that we are on the right track with our concepts,” he said, adding that an ongoing merger with Intersport Germany is progressing. A centralized merchandise procurement project hit a milestone during the fiscal year and the merged organization recently introduced their first joint product ranges and collections for all six countries where they operate and have pooled their IT systems.