Outdoor Equipment Sales Report for 2001

June 5, 2002
news release of the Outdoor Industry Association

The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) has released its year-end issue of the Top-line Retail Sales Report that tracks 125 product categories including camping and climbing equipment, outdoor apparel and footwear. The bimonthly Top-line tracks outdoor retail sales trends through the industry’s core channels of distribution: specialty stores (specialty), and national specialty and sporting goods stores (chains). For this segment of the industry, comparative category sales were flat versus 2000 closing at just under $5 billion.

“In a year of economic recession, flat sales are encouraging and reflective of our industry’s resilience during difficult times,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president of OIA. “The sales also support our belief that Americans depend on the outdoors for healthy lifestyles and will always spend money and time on outdoor pursuits.”

Specialty
In 2001, specialty store sales increased by 2.9 percent over 2000, for total sales of $1.7 billion. Sales were strong through October showing an almost 8 percent increase over the year before. However, the November-December period, normally 30 percent of the year’s sales, dropped four percent to 26 percent. Weather affected industry sales more dramatically than any other factor including 9/11 and the recession. Unusually warm weather over the holidays led to decreased sales of outerwear and apparel accessories. Product sales to note:

• Technical lumbar packs grew 36 percent in units sold.
• Kid carrier sales increased 21.5 percent in units.
• Sunglass sales grew 6 percent, led by glasses in the $40+ price range.
• Sports sandals were up 16 percent in units.
• Tent sales fell 3.8 percent while three-season tents (62% of all tents sold) increased 11.8 percent.

Chains
Sales through chains fell 2.8 percent in 2001, for total sales of $3.2 billion. Decreased apparel sales strongly influenced total sales for the year. Unlike in specialty stores where decreased apparel sales were driven by warm weather, chain stores showed decreasing apparel sales as early as April. Sportswear sales alone were down $34 million for the year. Chain stores sale observations:

• Apparel sales fell 11.4 percent.
• Footwear sales fell 4.8 percent, however athletic outdoor categories (trail running and multi-sport) and sport sandals all show double digit increases.
• Equipment sales, representing nearly half of total dollar sales in chains, were up 4.2 percent.
• Daypacks increased 47 percent in units.
• Kid carriers increased 33 percent in units.