Intersport Austria Sees Sharp Growth

It comes as the Austrian sporting goods market as a whole declined 1.1%.

Intersport grew by 2.2% over the same period.

The first-half figures cover October 2025 through to the end of March 2026, when the fiscal year closes and tell an even stronger story.

7% growth, driven by a winter season that exceeded every expectation, marks Intersport Austria as one of the standout performers in European sports retail this season.

Overall, winter merchandise grew 10.3%.

Skis were up 19% with ice skating equipment up 33%.

Ski boots, helmets, and technical apparel all recorded double-digit growth.

The rental business was up 13%.

Rentals now account for around 15% of Intersport business.

Rental is the sector’s most reliable introduction mechanism, converting first-timers and occasional participants into repeat customers and, eventually, equipment buyers.

Setting up my skis at Intersport Arlberg in St Anton. Image © PlanetSKI

Renting from Intersport offers numerous benefits:

• Travellers can save on airline baggage fees
• Avoid the hassle of carrying bulky equipment
• Enjoy top-quality skis and snowboards that are professionally serviced after every rental
• Have the ability to change skis & boards depending on the snow conditions

Intersport provides the flexibility to swap gear as conditions change—for instance, choosing powder skis on snowy days, a snowboard for a change of pace, or even touring skis for backcountry exploration.

Favourable snow and weather conditions across the Austrian Alps this season undoubtedly helped.

A eliable natural snowpack from early in the season is a rising tide that lifts all retail boats, but Intersport’s managing director pointed firmly to internal factors as the primary driver of the group’s performance.

“Our very positive development is not a given, but rather the result of many adjustments we made last year,” said Intersport Austria Managing Director, Franz Koll.

“We optimised processes, further refined our product range, and entered into strategic partnerships, such as with the Austrian Ski Federation, to set the course for the future.”

PlanetSKI readers can get substantial discounts when renting equipment with Intersport.

See here for how to get your PlanetSKI discount.

To read about the experience of renting with Intersport in Austria check out this post from PlanetSKI reporter, Cara Brookes.

• Hiring skis with Intersport in St Anton

Queuing for boot fitting by the Intersport crew – image © PlanetSKI

Related Articles

• Intersport’s new flagship store in Meribel
• Chasing powder in the Pyrenees with Intersport
• A visit to the Intersport Boot Doctor
• Ski touring for the first time

Ski touring for the first time with Intersport. Image © PlanetSKI

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