Sporting Goods Resource Guide 2021 | Page 22

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Finland

The most popular sport in Finland is ice hockey. Other popular winter sports are skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and cross-country skiing. Finland’s national sport is Finnish baseball (Finnish; pesäpallo), but overall football and floorball are more popular than baseball. Other common hobbies include dancing and gymnastics. In fact, Finland is the current world champion in cheerleading for the second consecutive year.

Running, biking, and Nordic walking are Finns’ favorite ways to move during the summer season. Seasonal sailing and boating are very popular during summer as well. Yoga, going to the gym, and new forms of fitness activities like CrossFit have gained more participants during recent years. Motorsports have a massive audience and lots of followers in Finland. The rallies and Formula One (F1) races are followed and discussed by many. Also, swimming (both winter and summer), hiking, and fishing are the sports that many love.

Big name brands and Scandinavian chains dominate the fashion and sports market in Finland. The presence of international retailers has steadily grown in recent years. However, the share of international retailers in Finland is still lower compared to the rest of Europe, and there is great potential for new retailers to enter the largely untapped market. Finns spend a large share of their income on retail and leisure activities. The Finnish retail landscape is dominated by shopping centers. There are currently 101 shopping centers in Finland. The supply of various kinds of entertainment and leisure services, also related to sports, is increasing as areas become more urbanized.

The Finnish market is generally active and environmentally conscious and will seek out products based on branding, quality, and environmental impact rather than on price. There is consumer demand for new products that are eco-friendly and do not compromise on quality or performance.

Opportunities

Trade Events

Go Expo Sport Fair  

Vene Bat International Boat Show

Gymtec & Sportec Expo Fair

Lapsimessut – Child Fair

For More Information about exporting to Finland contact:

Tiina Ketelä-Juvonen

Commercial Specialist, U.S. Embassy Helsinki

+420 257 022 323

[email protected]