Toy and Sporting Goods Wholesaling in Australia - Industry Market Research Report

Swings and roundabouts: Revenue has grown despite declining sport participation

Wholesalers in the Toy and Sporting Goods Wholesaling industry have faced difficult trading conditions over the past few years. Retailers are pivoting towards purchasing directly from manufacturers and bypassing wholesalers, which has constrained industry revenue growth. Consumer preferences have further constrained revenue growth as people have shifted away from traditional toys and sporting goods towards goods from other industries, like consumer electronics, computer games and gaming consoles. Despite industry profitability falling over the past five years, an appreciating Australian dollar has lowered import costs, placing upward pressure on profit margins. As a result, industry revenue is expected to edge up at a weak annualised 0.1% over the five years through 2023-24, to $3.8 billion. This trend includes an anticipated fall of 1.0% in the current year, fuelled by steady demand from downstream markets. Industry operators wholesale toys, bicycles and bicycle parts, playground equipment, firearms, ammunition, fireworks and sporting equipment (excluding clothing, footwear and tents). Wholesalers source these products from domestic and international manufacturers and then sell them to retailers such as specialist and department stores, educational institutions, and clubs and associations. This report covers the scope, size, disposition and growth of the industry including the key sensitivities and success factors. Also included are five year industry forecasts, growth rates and an analysis of the industry key players and their market shares.