The National Sporting Goods Association is reporting that bicycle imports fell to 3.5 million units in the first quarter of 2003, 13% fewer than in the same quarter last year, according to U.S. Department of Commerce data. The sporting goods retail trade organizations research group said most categories showed significant declines, with kids bikes down 18%; 26-inch bikes, down 19%; and 700c bikes, down 26%. Shipments of 20-inch BMX bikes dropped 8%.
The only category that showed an increase was 24-inch bikes, which rose 12%.
The average unit value of imported bicycles continued to inch upward in the first quarter when compared to all of 2002. In the 20-inch category, (which represented 30% of all imports) the average unit value for the quarter hit $41 compared to $40 for all of last year. The value of mountain bikes (28% of all imports) was $86, up from $78 throughout all of last year.
China continues as the leading exporter to the U.S., representing more than 90% of all imports in Q1.
Meanwhile, The NBDA reported a 5.9% gain in unit bicycle sales for May versus last May in its Retail Data Capture Program. Retail dollars were up more strongly, showing a 10.7% increase. Average price for the 19 brands tracked was $385, a 4.6% increase from 2002.
