Drop in US sporting goods sales
US sporting goods retail sales, including footwear, clothing and equipment, fell 3% in 2009 following a 1% decline in 2008. According to NSGA’s report entitled ‘The Sporting Goods Market in 2010’, sporting goods sales reached $50.7 billion in 2009. Sales are expected to rise 2% to $51.5 billion in 2010.
Athletic and sports equipment, which accounted for $24.4 billion in sales, showed a 2% decline. The association is forecasting a 1% increase in equipment sales for 2010. In 2009, athletic and sport footwear slipped to $17.1 billion, a 0.7% decrease. The association is forecasting a 1% increase in footwear sales for 2010.
Athletic and sport clothing showed a 8.5% decrease to $9.3 billion. The association is forecasting a 5% increase in clothing sales for 2010.
”Had it not been for the strong shooting sports equipment sales, the declines in 2009 and 2008 would have been sharper,” NSGA vice president of information and research Thomas Doyle said. “Minus shooting sports equipment sales, we would be looking at decline of 4.5% and 3.8%, respectively.” In the past 25 years, the only previous decline in sporting goods sales was in 2001. That decline was less than 0.1%.”
