March
2009 retail sales for all core outdoor stores (chain, internet, specialty)
combined dropped 5% compared to last March, moving from $369.2 million to $349.8 million, according to the most recent edition of The Outdoor Industry
Association (OIA) Outdoor Topline Report. Sales for the entire first quarter totaled $1.1B, down 7% from the same
period in 2008.

 

Although
both chain and specialty stores declined in March and so far this year, with
specialty stores down 12% in dollar sales compared to last March and chain
stores down 8%, declines softened in both channels and multiple categories
gained in each.  Signs of life, however,
emerged as internet sales were back in the black this month, jumping 14% in
dollars over both last March and Q1 2008.

 

Internet
Rebounds, Equipment Sales Increase 26%

According
to the OIA Outdoor Topline Report,
internet sales totaled $81M this month, jumping 5% in units, 8% in retail price
and 14% in dollars.  Every major product
category (equipment, equipment accessories, apparel and footwear) and most
sub-categories gained.  Outdoor equipment
was the big winner, growing 26% above an already-healthy March 2008 and easily
outselling both chain and specialty equipment. Tents, sleeping bags, packs, climbing gear and winter equipment all saw
double-digit sales growth.  Retail prices
were up in many categories as well, an indication that consumers were willing to
pay slightly more to score that great deal on higher-quality items. 

 

Q1
Recreation Kayak Sales Increase 7% in
Dollars


Core
paddlesport stores (specialty, chain, internet) brought in $33M in March and
$50M in Q1 2009, dropping 7% and 4%, respectively, against the same period last
year.  Consumers seemed more willing to
make small purchases than large ones, as apparel and accessories increased sales
so far this year while boats and paddles sank. 
However, both recreation kayak and canoe dollar sales were up in Q1
2009.  Both were the result of higher
selling-prices not increased volume, as recreation kayaks increased 7% to an
average of $770 and canoes increased 21% to an average of $924.  

 

Chain
Stores Post Solid Camping Sales


In
chain stores, products that may appeal to the casual camper/outdoor
recreationist saw healthy sales: recreation tents, synthetic-fill rectangular
and mummy sleeping bags, medium-sized (2,500-4,000ci) packs, technical lumbar
packs, water bottles, energy food, cookware, camp furniture, water purification,
misc. camp accessories and hiking boots all outsold March 2008.  Soft goods foundered, as all outerwear and
most sportswear categories sank. 
Woman-specific clothing and footwear, as well as some spring-ready
sportswear categories continued to sell.

 

Specialty
Declines 12%

Specialty
stores were the hardest hit in March, losing 12% in overall dollars from the
same month last year.  However, there
were plenty of positives as a number of categories did increase sales and
declines were less severe in most other categories.  Dollar growth came from synthetic mummy bags,
medium packs, climbing gear, water bottles, tools, energy food, dehydrated
meals, bivvy sacks, water purification, camp stoves and multisport
shoes.