Research out this week shows ski sales are
down 18% on last year. Amazingly, this is an
improvement on the summer when business was 30% down.
Company reactions to the official industry
figures have shown a healthy dose of New Labour spin-doctoring.
Crystal's MD Andy Perrin was first off the mark when
he pointed out that stats company AC Nielson only
compile figures for travel agent sales and do not
include any direct business.
Inghams however was the only company to show
improved sales and jubilantly claimed it was because
they serve 'the middle to upper market'. Laurence
Hicks, head of Inghams Ski, took the opportunity to
point out that 'it is the middle and lower income
groups which have cut back'.
