The latest survey from the Running Industry Association (RIA) found that in spite of store closures in March and April, the run specialty channel proved resilient and rebounded nicely in the back half of 2020.
According to the survey of over 100 specialty run retailers across the U.S., 39 percent of stores in the channel managed to exceed 2019 sales and another 29 percent were within 10 percent of the prior year.
Among categories, footwear sales held up strongest, but apparel sales percentages were within striking distance. Accessories bore the biggest hit with over two-thirds reporting flat or down revenues compared to 2019.
Other key takeaways from the survey:
- Over 85 percent of reporting stores finished the year with a full staff or stayed within 90 percent of a full staff;
- Retailers are generally bullish on 2021 returning to pre-COVID-19 growth. 42 percent are back to normal sales and an additional 37 percent are confident about returning to normal sales volume by Q3;
- Expected revisions on Spring futures reflect the bullish attitude, with 75 percent not anticipating any downward revisions;
- E-commerce has been a difference-maker. In March 2020, 27 percent of specialty run retailers were selling online. Heading into 2021, that figure is close to 90 percent; and
- Ninety-seven percent of retailers who are selling online expect their 2021 eCommerce business to equal or exceed 2020
sales figures.
The survey is the fourth the organization has completed with run specialty retailers around the impact of the pandemic since the emergence of the pandemic last March. RIA also conducted one pandemic-impact survey with vendors. More information on RIA’s research is available here.
Photo courtesy Fast Running, Hoka One One
