Most expected the month of June would be a tough one at retail-given the difficult comparisons caused by last year’s stimulus checks-but few retailers that spoke with Sports Executive Weekly thought it would be as bad as it ended.  The cold and rainy weather hurt as did the lean inventories which resulted in less clearance activity than last year. 


Retail sales of sport footwear for June were down in the low- to mid-single-digits in both dollars and units, indicating a mid– to high-single-digit comp store sales decline for the five-week month.  Average selling prices held steady for the month.  By channel, sales were weakest at the mall, down in the mid-teens, while the family retailer segment posted a slight increase for the period.  Sport footwear sales grew at full-line sporting goods, as the channel is not as vulnerable to shifts in fashion trends that impact the mall.


Sales of men’s sport footwear declined in the low-singles while women's and kids sales declined in the mid-single-digits. 


The core Running brands all did well again, lead by Brooks and Saucony, but Asics also posted a double-digit gain aided by heavy promotions of the numerous Gel 2130 products in the market.


By segment, performance footwear (25% of June sales) was basically flat, while Non-performance declined in the mid singles.  Sales of running footwear were flat as fashion running (60% of running sales) declined in the low-singles and performance running grew in the mid-singles.  Sales of running shoes over $100 (30% of the market) grew in the high-single-digits.  June is historically the largest month of the year for sandals, but the unseasonably cool weather dampened sales, which ended the month flat.  Without Crocs in the mix, sandals sale would have grown in the mid-single-digits. 


The trend in skate has also begun to slow down.  Sales for June were “only” up in low-teens, against the 25% increase in the year-to-date trend.


Toning/shaping footwear appears to be gaining some momentum as sales in June week 5, were double those in June week 2.  Skechers is primarily the driver of the sales increase, but Reebok is seeing upside as well.  It remains to be seen how big this market can be, but analysts clearly see a business here.