U.S. snow sports dealers entered 2013 with more inventory than a year ago but could still surpass last winters dismal sales, according to the latest retail sales report from the latest SnowSports Industries America and Leisure Trends Group.
The report, which is based on point-of-sale data from 1,200 shops across the country, estimates spending through Dec. 31 reached $2.1 billion, down 4 percent in units sold and down 3 percent in dollars compared to the same period last year, which was one of the warmest and driest in recorded history.
While sales picked up this season with the arrival of snow in late December, specialty shop retailers entered the new year with $951M worth of snow sports equipment, apparel and accessories inventories, up 3 percent from a year earlier. While January to March typically generate just 35 percent of a seasons unit sales, SIA said favorable weather could help retailers clear out swollen inventories and allow for a full recovery from last seasons disappointing sales and participation.
In fact, good conditions should bring more than 20M U.S. residents out for snow sports this season and result in an increase over last seasons $3.3B in total sales, SIA said in a press release.
SIA said several product trends stood out during the first half of
