The athletic and sports footwear market reached $18.4 billion in 2011, according to NSGA's soon-to-be-released “Sporting Goods Market in 2012.” This represents a 5 percent increase from the $17.5 billion in sales in 2010. In 2010 sales had increased 2 percent from the previous year. Sales in 2011 mark the first time the footwear market has surpassed the $18 billion mark.
Once again, the largest category of athletic and sport footwear was walking shoes, which reached over $4.5 billion in 2011, up 7 percent versus 2010, when consumers spent $4.23 billion.
Among other footwear categories with $1 billion or more, gym shoes/fashion sneakers showed an 8 percent increase to $3.86 billion, up from $3.58 in 2010. Purchases of cross training/fitness shoes ($2.27 billion) showed a 7 percent increase. Sales of hiking shoes/boots which reached $1.02 billion were up 3 percent from $989 million in 2010.
Jogging/Running shoes increased 6 percent to $2.46 billion versus $2.32 in 2010. In 2010 they had slipped 2 percent from $2.36 billion in 2009.
This information is contained in NSGA's annual study that provides an overview of the sporting goods market and where 26 types of athletic and sport footwear are tracked. Aerobic shoes, lightweight/minimalist shoes, and football shoes are among the footwear types that are surveyed. The total U.S. market for athletic equipment is expected to reach $18.4 billion in 2011, with the final data to be released by the end of May.
“The Sporting Goods Market in 2012” is a copyrighted NSGA consumer study that projects 2011 purchases of sporting goods products based on a survey of over 41,000 U.S. households. The online consumer panel used in this study is maintained by TNS. The panel is balanced to parallel the American household distribution as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Census, so that the data can be projected nationally. The report is prepared for NSGA by Irwin Broh Research.
“The Sporting Goods Market in 2012” is available for $250 for retailer/dealer members of the Association and free to manufacturer and sustaining members. For non-members, the cost is $340.
