Shimano has confirmed that its Q1 2012 fiscal sales ‘fulfilled the forecast’ and that bicycle components saw a 22.1% year on year rise in turnover to reach ¥49.8 billion. Operating income increased by 40.9% to ¥10.1 billion.
Shimano reported buoyant retail sales for bicycle components in Europe, pointing to a generally mild winter in Europe except for a cold snap in late January to early February. In the US, again, a lack of extreme winter weather helped keep retail sales brisk; while in Japan the winter was harsher and retail sales were consequently surpressed.
Shimano noted that distributor inventories in Europe and the US were at ‘appropriate levels’. Overall, demand for Shimano groupsets and components rose. The company also pointed to ‘anticipation of further growth in demand for sports bicycles in China’. (This has certainly been a feature supported the performance of leading bicycle manufacturers Giant and Merida in Taiwan.)
