Lasers

Originally posted by Demelza Stick to the subject. if you want to discus Kayaks do it somewhere else !!

They sold 14,000 Lasers in 78 and 2000 a year these days, worldwide. I'd guess they were sold in fewer countries in 78? So these days there's a lot less boats sold to support a worldwide network of retailers.It's a harsh fact of retail that however little the goods cost wholesale, you have to sell quite a lot to pay the salaries, commercial rates, rent and all that stuff. 2000 Lasers at £6k a go is £12million worldwide retail turnover. One UK bicycle retailer has a turnover of £300M. Even Lasers are a little cottage industry compared to other sports. It would be interesting to know how many £4k non-ilca Lasers are being sold. I guess many will go to beach operators and such?

Found this scrabbling round my office looking for something else, Laser advert in Dinghy & Boardsailing June 1980, gone up a bit since 77 when I bought my first windsurfer for about £475 and I'm sure the Laser was about 650, but inflation back in the late seventys was rampant.

Sticking to the topic on Y&Y forums....yeah good luck with that

I went and had a look, that small flying fish kayak looks OK for the kids 160 quid, seat and paddle.

Edited by 423zero - 02 Feb 22 at 3:06pm