Exports drive 700% increase in sales for Sea Falcon

A concerted international export drive has helped Japanese lure brand Sea Falcon register a mammoth 700% increase in year-on-year sales.

The company said that its renewed international focus saw it add 25 new markets in all parts of the world during the last 12 months, most notably in parts of Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Its International Sales Manager, Martin Bakos, told Angling International that it had enjoyed its strongest sales growth in the US thanks to its distribution partnership with SPRO/Gamakatsu as it continued to develop the brand into a ‘leader’ in the growing slow pitch jigging sector.

Sea Falcon’s achievements are all the more noteworthy bearing in mind that offshore fishing – its core sector – was hit by travel restrictions imposed following COVID. “It is true that the outdoor industry and fishing have enjoyed a boost in popularity, but the pandemic has had a huge negative impact on tropical fishing.

“We have had to shift our strategic approach towards shore fishing and many of our new launches have reflected that. This has not only allowed us to continue to grow sales in existing markets, but also enter many new ones where heavy jigging was not so developed.

“At the same time we did not ignore offshore fishing and have been carefully researching local markets and working with distributors who are actively promoting offshore sport even in these difficult times. It has not all been gloom and the sector has experienced bright spots – especially in the US which has seen huge growth.”

Bakos added that Sea Falcon is looking forward to building on its phenomenal growth. “The last couple of years have been challenging, but what they have demonstrated is that the companies which are able to adapt and offer customer focus are the ones who will come out as winners.

“While the last year has been generous to us, a lot of this growth has come from generating and penetrating new markets. In the years to come we will be focused on developing each individual market by offering localised products. We also plan to utilise further our growing international network by distributing products of other brands. We have already started with our OEM partners like Tana Jig and Ocean Seals.”