Summary

The global indoor climbing market has grown significantly, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%, driven by increased interest in the sport and events such as the Olympic Games. In France, the indoor climbing market is booming, with 2 million climbers.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 had an impact on the industry with closures and restrictions, although peaks of interest were observed after the containment. The largest number of climbing gyms in France is in the Rhône-Alpes region.

Analysis of the indoor climbing market and trends in France

The indoor climbing market in France has experienced remarkable growth, with the number of active climbers constantly rising. A recent study shows that French climbing consumers are relatively young, with a significant proportion aged between 9 and 17, indicating a future generation of passionate climbers. This growth trajectory is reflected in the sharp increase in indoor climbing facilities, with around 100 accessible gyms, compared with just 20 in the early 2000s. Complementary products are a vital segment of the market, with specialized footwear and chalk indispensable to the climbing experience. Consumers spend most of their money - around 47% - on footwear and equipment. Textiles follow, accounting for around 33% of spending.

Interestingly, women tend to spend less on climbing gear each year, averaging between 300 and 400 euros, while men spend between 450 and 500 euros. Events and media coverage have played a decisive role in the popularity of climbing. The upcoming Paris Olympics in 2024, for which climbing will be one of the featured sports, promise to have a positive impact on the market.

In addition, globally televised championships and documentaries on platforms such as Netflix have significantly broadened exposure and generated interest. Indoor climbing areas primarily meet the practical needs of the urban population, enabling enthusiasts to practice within city limits. The average time spent by climbers in gyms is over two hours, which, combined with the high cost of gym membership, indicates that time and financial commitments are the main obstacles to more frequent practice of the sport.

Market size is significant and growing, with estimates suggesting an annual market size of between 100 and 150 million euros, including sales of complementary products such as footwear. This size is expected to have doubled in recent years. The franchise model has gained in popularity, as it enables entrepreneurs to take fewer risks and get off to a fast start, despite the considerable initial investment required, estimated at over 400,000 euros, a large proportion of which is made up of personal contributions.

Recent global events, in particular the COVID-19 pandemic, have undeniably affected the indoor climbing market, with mandatory gym closures during shutdown periods resulting in a sharp drop in the sector's revenues. However, the resilience of the market is remarkable, with exceptional peaks in interest in climbing following the relaxation of containment measures.

Regulations and standards play a fundamental role in the safe operation of climbing gyms, with detailed guidelines laid down by the Fédération française de la montagne et de l'escalade (FFME), which cover a range of aspects from safety to environmental protection and accident prevention

The main players in the French indoor climbing market

The indoor climbing market in France boasts several major players who have risen to the top, becoming synonymous with the sport in the country. These companies have not only fueled the market's growth, but have also set the standard for climbing enthusiasts looking for exceptional facilities and services. Here's a look at the main players in this dizzying sector.

  • Block'Out Block'Out is one of the major players in the indoor climbing sector. This company blends the lines between a climbing gym and a social center, where bouldering is the main activity. With facilities catering for beginners and experienced climbers alike, Block'Out also offers a welcoming atmosphere with cafés and relaxation areas where climbers can unwind after a tough session.

  • ClimbUp ClimbUp takes indoor climbing to new heights with its vast and varied climbing walls, suitable for all ages and skill levels. The company has a strong presence, with numerous sites offering lead climbing, bouldering and speed climbing. Its gyms are known for being inclusive spaces that encourage climbers to challenge themselves, improve and become part of the climbing community.

  • Les Arts de La Grimpe Les Arts de La Grimpe is a specialist in climbing gear and equipment. They offer a wide range of products suited to climbing enthusiasts. With years of experience under their belts, Les Arts de La Grimpe is an essential resource for climbers looking for quality equipment, whether for indoor or outdoor use.

  • Altissimo Altissimo stands out in the market by offering a complete climbing experience. It offers walls designed for a variety of climbing disciplines. Altissimo has made a name for itself thanks to its distinctive approach to indoor climbing, offering tailor-made experiences and emphasizing the community aspect of the sport, where climbers can share their passion and learn from each other.

  • Arkose Arkose is a modern and innovative addition to the indoor climbing industry, distinguished by its integration of healthy lifestyle aspects into the climbing experience. With a commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility, Arkose gyms often offer organic cafés and host events, making them fashionable venues for environmentally conscious climbers.

In conclusion, these heavyweights in the climbing gym market are pushing the boundaries of indoor climbing in France. They not only offer spaces for physical activity, but also foster the creation of communities where climbing aficionados can converge. As the market continues to grow, these players are well placed to meet the needs of a growing number of people looking for a climbing gym.

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  • Number of pages : 30 pages
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  • Last update : 05/10/2022
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Summary and extracts

1 Market overview

1.1 Definition and scope of the study

The climbing market can be divided into two segments:

  • Indoor climbing
  • Outdoor climbing

In this study, we only cover indoor climbing. The two segments are often linked in terms of consumer interest, but there arestructural differences. Indoor climbing requires heavy investment in infrastructure, equipment and walls, and constant maintenance. Indoor climbing is accessible all year round. Outdoor climbing, on the other hand, is more raw, which means that human intervention is much lower, and nature dictates conditions and routes. Nevertheless, this form of climbing requires knowledge, more people and stricter adherence to safety rules. What's more, it often requires more equipment and gadgets.

The global indoor climbing market, dominated by the USA, has seen explosive growth in recent years. In 2018, 4.4% of Americans were indoor climbers. What's more, the global market is set to grow at a CAGR of 7% between 2019 and 2023, driven by increasing popularity and interest in the sport. This phenomenon is fuelled by events such as the 2021 Olympic Games, where climbing is now a discipline for the first time since 1992.

In France, there were one million climbers in 2016. This figure is rising steadily against a backdrop of growing interest in the sport. A catalyst for this growth was the world championships held in Paris in 2016, where many competitors were French.

The market is fragmented, with many players present in France. However, as the business model for climbing gyms requires significant initial investment, the franchise model has gained in popularity. Among the best-known players are Montez, bloquez, MurMur and others.

Finally, COVID-19 will have a negative impact on the climbing market in 2020, with closures imposed in France between March and May 2020, and new traffic restrictions put in place in October 2020. Industry players are suffering cash flow losses, and in the future we can expect greater market concentration due to the growing number of bankruptcies of cash-poor companies.

List of charts

  • Year-round sports participation rate
  • First and second reasons for practising sport
  • Household sports expenditure
  • Would you say that the inclusion of surfing, skateboarding, breakdancing and climbing in the Olympics is a good thing or a bad thing?
  • What type of climbing do you do?
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Latest news

Climbing, the growing trend in France - 20/08/2023
  • French industry leader Arkose has opened 14 gyms since 2019 and is targeting sales of 45 million euros in 2023, up from 21 million in 2019.
  • A decade of growth in the indoor climbing market, with virtually uninterrupted growth outside the Covid period.
  • The number of climbing gyms in France has risen from around fifteen in the early 2000s to just over 200 today.
  • By 2022, 4% of the French population had taken up climbing, i.e. almost 1.5 million people, including 500,000 new climbers.
  • The sector continues to grow by just over 2% a year.
  • Customers spend an average of two and a half to three hours in climbing gyms, but only climb 25% of the time.
  • Complementary activities account for 30-35% of sales at Arkose and 15% at Climb up.
  • Start-up Climbing District, founded in 2020, claims to be already profitable at group level.
Climbing district, French climbing company, raises 10 million euros - 02/02/2024
  • Climbing District, a climbing brand, was launched in 2019 and opened its first gym in 2021.
  • The founding duo of Henri d'Anterroches, a former tech entrepreneur, and Antoine Paulhac, an ex-investment director, raised €10 million in January from Pleiad Venture and 123 Investment Managers.
  • The company aims to open three new locations in Paris, Milan and London by 2024.
  • Climbing District spaces offer a variety of activities, including yoga, pilates and strength training.
  • Climbing District announced that all its gyms were profitable by 2023.
  • The chain has more than 85 employees and is up against big players such as Arkose, Climb Up, Block'Out and Vertical'Art.
  • The market for private climbing gyms is growing, with almost 300 private gyms across France and annual growth of 10% over the past five years.
Béal inaugurates a new production site in Isère - 25/11/2023
  • Béal was founded in 1951.
  • It has become the world leader in mountain ropes.
  • It currently employs 70 people in France, 145 in Madagascar and 30 in the United States.
  • Béal has invested 9 million euros in a new infrastructure, which was inaugurated on November 17.
  • Mountain sports account for 40% of Béal's sales (18.5 million euros by 2022), 60% of which come from exports.
  • The remainder (60%) comes from working at heights.
  • Béal's ambition is to become the benchmark in personal protective equipment for work at height.

Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Block'Out
Climb'Up
Arkose
MILLET MOUNTAIN GROUP
ClimbingAway
Climbing Technology
Manox
Climbing District
Béal Cordes
Hapik Masai
Bloc Session
Les Arts de la Grimpe

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