SPORTS PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT MARKET Challenges and Opportunities

One of the major challenges faced by the legitimate sports protective equipment manufacturers is the availability of cheaper counterfeit products in the market. These counterfeit products which are usually imported from other low- cost countries significantly undercut the prices of original branded products. This poses pricing pressures on established brands and manufacturers have to delve into extensive promotions and discounts to prove the value additions of their products against counterfeits. The counterfeits also compromise on quality standards which can threaten customer safety. While they seem like an affordable alternative to customers, their ability to prevent injuries is questionable. This ultimately impacts the reputation and erodes the brand value of legitimate producers in the long run.

Sports Protective Equipment Market Opportunity: Emerging Sports and New Product Segments

The global sports protective equipment market is poised to benefit significantly from the emergence of new types of sports and the development of innovative product segments. With the rising popularity of extreme adventure sports, there is growing demand for specialized protective gear for knees, elbows and helmets. Likewise, the evolution of gear for winter sports, racquet sports, water sports and others present sizable opportunities. Manufacturers need to closely track the evolving participation trends and design products customized for newer categories. Furthermore, integration of new materials and advanced technologies can help manufacturers penetrate virgin market territories with distinctive product propositions. Focusing on both niche sectors and mainstream segments, sports protective equipment companies can extract substantial growth opportunities in the coming years.