Author: Marissa Guyduy

The cycling sales trend evolved in June, with the growth stemming primarily from higher-end bikes including road, gravel, mountain, and electric bikes. (Read More)

Matt Powell outlines how the economic and behavioral shifts due to the pandemic will impact the back-to-school environment and sneaker sales in the weeks ahead. (Read More)

Performance running footwear sales rebounded in mid-May and grew 30% in the week ending June 20 over last year – the highest gain in any week since 2020 began. (Read More)

June 30, 2020 – The U.S. consumer is expanding their spending consideration set as restrictions ease across much of the country, reports The NPD Group. The importance of enhancing a homebound lifestyle remains, but consumers are... (Read More)

This is the first month since NPD began tracking the cycling market that sales reached $1 billion in a single month. Bikes suitable for family use, neighborhood riding and those with more approachable price-points showed the strongest year-over-year sales gains. (Read More)

U.S. consumer behavior and spending patterns are emerging in the data, offering a glimpse into what sports retail will look like as we move through this pandemic. Matt Powell outlines where he sees the opportunities. (Read More)

Embracing outdoor moments and looking to create them in both the open-air and comfort of our backyards has been a natural response to stay-at-home orders. With air travel showing slow improvement and family vacation options limited, camping could have a breakout summer. (Read More)

Summer seasonal apparel categories, shorts and swimwear, recently captured nearly one-fifth of total apparel spending, which is more spending share for this category than the same time last year. (Read More)

Recent sales increases in several discretionary categories reflect today's buying behavior, but also offer insight to help prepare for a new way of shopping. (Read More)

The home fitness trend is one of the biggest to emerge from the COVID-19 crisis. Now that consumer interest is piqued on how to exercise at home, the question for retailers and manufacturers becomes, how do we maintain the momentum established over these weeks? Dirk offers up three answers. (Read More)

In today’s uncertain and unsettling times, Matt Powell offers his thoughts on what sports and outdoor industry brands and retailers must act upon right now to take care of their customers and businesses. (Read More)

NPD sports industry advisor Matt Powell shares the retail sales highlights across the U.S. athletic footwear and activewear markets for the first quarter of the year. (Read More)

Amidst the news of major leagues postponing their respective seasons due to COVID-19, Matt Powell dives into the implications these delays bring for sports retail. (Read More)

The global women’s markets in Turkey, Russia, South Korea, and China grew the fastest in 2019. (Read More)

NPD Sports analyst Dirk Sorenson explains Peloton’s appeal, and the opportunities such media-based sports platforms present to sporting goods manufacturers and retailers. (Read More)

eSports has the potential to change the way sports is perceived and pursued, and open new avenues for traditional manufacturers to create and market products. In his blog series, Dirk dives into what he considers the Internet of Fitness. (Read More)

A booming shared economy inspired by reselling and recycling, socialized competition like Topgolf, and sales potential from the growing number of Baby Boomer retirees are among the opportunities Matt Powell outlines in his latest blog. (Read More)

From technical innovation to capitalizing on emerging gamification opportunities like Zwift’s take on eSports, Dirk Sorenson outlines what should be the running industry’s goals for short and long term success in the months ahead. (Read More)

As consumers continue to let their values and stances on social issues guide purchases, Matt Powell lays out the mounting evidence of how brands and retailers putting purpose first are actually winning in the stock market and in the consumer marketplace. (Read More)

Urban consumers in the U.S. plan to spend 33% more on their holiday shopping this year than those in rural areas. (Read More)