SIA reports strong snow sports sales
22/12/2006
Snowsports Industries America (SIA), the national not-for-profit trade association representing the US winter sports industry, has reported that snow sports sales for the August to October period for both specialty and chain stores reached $386 million—an 11% increase over the same period in 2005.
Boosted by early season snow, specialty store sales increased 12% in terms of both volume and value and finished the August-October period with $310 million in sales. Apparel sales increased by 32%, with integrated ski systems and accessories performing well. Nearly 51,000 pairs of integrated ski systems were sold during the period, amounting to $21.7 million at retail, whilst soft shells continue to be in great demand, and were up 66% in units and 55% in value.
Sporting goods chains sales totalled $76.7 million, a 6% increase over the same period in 2005, whilst Internet and catalogue sales amounted to $69.5 million, with 56% derived from apparel, 27% from accessories and 17% from equipment. SIA says that sales in these channels are growing more rapidly than those in sporting good chains, and predicts they will overtake the latter within two years.
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