Preliminary data from NSGA’s “Sporting Goods Market in 2010” puts the average price point for athletic footwear in 2009 at $45.04, a 3.0% increase from 2008. In 2008, the average price had risen 1.6% to $43.71 versus $43.03 in 2007.

On average, males spent more on athletic footwear than females in 2009, $46.39 versus $44.02. The previous year (2008) it was $45.16 versus $42.75.

“The increase in average price paid for athletic footwear indicates that retailers have not needed to offer deep promotional pricing in 2009,” said NSGA Vice President of Information & Research Thomas B. Doyle. “In part, this can be explained by retailer reaction to consumer demand with tighter inventory levels.”

By age group, the 14-to-17 year olds were the big spenders, doling out $54.66 for a pair of shoes. They were followed closely by the 18-to-24 year olds, who paid an average price of $53.72, and the 25-to-34 year olds, who paid $53.59. Also above the $50 price point were the 35-to-44 year olds and the 65-plusers, who paid $50.31 and $50.18 respectively.

Among males, the highest average price point was paid by the 14-17 year old age group, $59.42.

Among females, the highest average price point was paid by women 65 years of age and older, $50.91. They were followed by the 14-17 year old age group, whose average price point was $50.64.