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Tackle giant Shimano has maintained its strong start to 2026 by reporting a double-digit sales increase for the first half of its financial year and as a result is raising its profit forecast for 2026.
The Japanese company started the year with an 18% increase in tackle sales in Q1and has followed that up with a 17% hike for the first half of the year. It told investors this week that interest in global tackle demand remained firm during the first half of 2026 with sales ‘robust’ across most regions and inventory levels staying largely in balance.
- Net sales climbed 17.4% year‑on‑year to 65,466 million yen.
- Operating income surged 59.8%, reaching 7,179 million yen.
On a group level Shimano saw revenue increase 4.1% to 247,059m yen (2025: 237,409m), with its larger bicycle division experiencing a 0.0% decrease from the same period to 181,379m. Operating income decreased 15.1% to 20,064m. It told investors that it has increased its original sales performance forecast for the year – 467,000m – by 5.1% to 491,000m (2025:466,243m).
Across the Japanese market, Shimano reported that fishing tackle sales were subdued. It said: “Rising prices continued to weigh on personal consumption, keeping sales soft. Even so, distributors made steady progress in trimming excess inventory, helping stabilise the channel.”
In North America, demand stayed strong. Favourable fishing conditions on both the west and south‑eastern coasts supported consistent sell‑through and inventory levels remained healthy.
The European market saw a slower start to the season as poor weather delayed activity in several regions. Inventories stayed somewhat elevated as a result, but overall sales performance remained solid once anglers returned to the water.
Across Asia, momentum continued, driven particularly by China’s appetite for high‑end tackle. Demand for premium products stayed brisk, keeping inventories at appropriate levels.
In Australia, favourable weather and strong fishing conditions underpinned another period of healthy sales, with inventory positions remaining well‑managed.
Shimano reported that its new launches made a notable impact. The VANQUISH CE spinning reel and CALCUTTA CONQUEST BFS baitcaster (main picture) were both warmly received, adding fresh energy to the premium segment. Meanwhile, order activity for established flagship models- particularly the STELLA SW – remained brisk.
Shimano said that during the first half of the year the global economy generally maintained its solid footing. However, it added: “The economic outlook remained uncertain due to factors such as trends in the trade policies of various nations as well as rising geopolitical risks, such as rising energy prices against a backdrop of rising tensions in the Middle East.”
