Job search
Job Search
Latest news
More news: (showing 1 - 20 of 13726)           
UK only International

Consumer spending on sport and fitness up, but leisure industry braced for slowdown

By Matthew Campelli    08 May 2017
Despite gym spend increasing over the period, a number of millenials have expressed their intention of moving their leisure spend elsewhere / Bojan Milinkov/Shutterstock.com

Consumer spending on gym use and sporting activity increased during the first quarter of 2017, although analysts are predicting a dip in expenditure on general leisure activities due to a “weak pound” and “slowdown” in wage growth.

Deloitte’s quarterly survey of 3,000 adults revealed that net spending on using fitness clubs and taking part in sport increased by two percentage points on Q4 2016 – although this is common for the period immediately after Christmas.

However, the gym sector may have to brace itself for a drop in millennial members and customers, with some 18-34 year-olds shifting their leisure intentions elsewhere.

According to Deloitte there has been a seven percentage point dip in those intending to spend leisure money at the gym, with an increase in those wanted to eat out and go to pubs and bars.

Over the opening three months of 2017, spending on holidays also increased over the period, with a surge in both long-haul and short-haul booking.

The picture looks slightly bleaker across the entire leisure industry, with the effect of Brexit on the pound, rising inflation and slow nominal wage growth contributing to a fall in spending.

Money spent eating out at restaurants fell by three percentage points, with a similar decrease in coffee shops and pubs.

“The focus on health and wellbeing is as expected for the start of the year, with spending falling for eating out and rising for gym and sport-related leisure activities,” said Simon Oaten, partner for hospitality at Deloitte.

“However, with inflation rising, a weak pound and a slowdown in nominal wage growth, leisure consumers are starting to feel their pockets tighten, leading to a fall in spending on some habitual activities and small luxuries, such as buying daily coffees.”

Oaten added: “While this has yet to result in an actual reduction in overall leisure spending, this trend will be monitored closely.

“The overall health of the sector will be an important economic indicator in the months to come.”

Deloitte  fitness  consumers  spending 
Sign up for FREE ezines
Related news

Company profile

Company profile: Legend by Xplor
We help a wide range of public sector leisure operators (including Leisure Trusts, Leisure Management Companies, Local Authorities and Universities), as well as private operators, to streamline complex operations, achieve growth and drive retention.
View full profile >
More company profiles

Featured Supplier

Elevate registrations soar: a record-breaking start to Elevate 2024
Elevate, the premier event in the physical activity, fitness, sports therapy and performance sector, is thrilled to announce that registrations for its 2024 conference are now live – and the response has been nothing short of exceptional.
View full details >
More featured suppliers

Property & Tenders

Location: Loughton, IG10
Company: Knight Frank
Location: Grantham, Leicestershire
Company: Belvoir Castle
Location: Verwood, Dorset
Company: AVISON YOUNG
Location: Hall Place House, Bexley, DA5 1PQ
Company: London Borough of Bexley
Location: 15 Concessions across the nation's forests
Company: Forestry England
More properties & tenders

Diary dates

11-14 Apr 2024
Exhibition Centre , Cologne, Germany
22-24 Apr 2024
Galgorm Resort, York
10-12 May 2024
China Import & Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou, China
23-24 May 2024
Large Hall of the Chamber of Commerce (Erbprinzenpalais), Wiesbaden, Germany
More diary dates