Weak home sales buck strong fishing trend at Shimano

Fishing tackle giant Shimano reported strong sales across all its regions in 2025 with the exception of its domestic market.

The Japanese company reported a 5.6% increase in net sales from the previous year to 110,832m yen, while operating income decreased 18.9% to 8,865m yen. On a group basis, it reported an increase in revenue of 3.4% to 466,243m yen. Operating income decreased 20.6% to 51,677m yen.

The group said that Japanese fishing tackle sales remained weak due to a decline in consumer spending, hit by price hikes and extreme heat.

However, it reported better news in other sales regions, with the US leading the strong pattern thanks to favourable offshore fishing conditions mainly on the west coast and north east areas throughout the year. Market inventories also remained at appropriate levels.

Stable weather conditions ensured strong European sales, while in Asia sales were boosted by demand for high-priced reels – mainly from the Chinese market.

Stable weather and favourable offshore fishing conditions boosted sales in the Australian market.

Shimano added that its new Stella SW spinning reels and Antares baitcasters were well received by the market, while order-taking for the Poison Ultima – the pinnacle of its Poison bass rod series – was brisk.

Globally, Shimano reported that last year the group saw a gradual recovery trend. However, it added: “Views on the economic outlook continued to be cautious due to trade policies around the world and rising geopolitical risks such as prolonged international conflicts that created a sense of uncertainty.”

Its larger bicycle components business suffered a mixed year with net sales from the segment increasing 2.7% from the previous 12 months to 354,972m yen, with operating income decreasing 20.9% to 42,841m yen.