El Niño conditions create rocketing snowsports sales in Western US
25/11/2015
Equipment sales increased 10% while outerwear sales remained relatively flat.
The gear used by skiers and snowboarders including skis, boards and boots, baselayer, gloves and goggles show increases in both dollars sold and units sold.
The SIA said: “Drought has hampered skiing and snowboarding in places like California for several seasons, but the El Niño conditions seems to have convinced consumers that this will be an epic season and it’s time for new gear, especially in the West.
“In fact, sales in specialty shops in the West are up more than 50% so far this season to $84 million. Snowboard equipment sales nearly doubled and alpine equipment sales are up 84% to $25 million in the West.”
However, inventories in snow sports specialty shops are 10% leaner compared with the same time last year. Retailers are carrying 30% less outerwear, 6% fewer snowboards, 13% fewer AT boots, and 8% fewer alpine skis.
“If El Niño conditions do bring snow to California and across the country like it did in 2009/2010, consumers may have difficulty finding the gear they want to buy and scarcity may hinder sales as early as mid-December,” warns SIA.
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