Purchases of sports equipment on the Internet continue
to grow, according to data in the National Sporting Goods Association consumer purchases study “The Sporting Goods Market in 2003.” For 2002, the Internet was the source of 4.6% of all sports equipment purchases, up from 4.5% in 2001. In 1999 (the first year Internet purchases were surveyed), they represented just 1.4% of consumer purchases of sports equipment.

“The growth in Internet sports equipment purchases appears to be at the expense of purchases by mail order and in other channels of distribution,” said NSGA Vice President of Information & Research Thomas B. Doyle. “Ten years ago, mail order represented 8.6% of sports equipment purchases and other outlets, 12.0%. In 2002, they represented 3.0% and 5.9% respectively.”

Purchases of athletic and sports footwear on the Internet also grew, capturing 2.6% of all athletic and sports footwear purchases in 2002. In 2001, Internet purchases represented 1.8% of all athletic and sports footwear purchases.

Channel market share of sporting goods stores and mass merchandisers has remained fairly constant that past several years, capturing approximately 49% and 37% respectively. Also featured are purchaser demographics – annual family income, age and gender of product user, education of household head and sales according to region of the country. Place-of-purchase data allow for analysis of the
industry’s channels of distribution. Consumer purchases on the Internet are reported.

The 78-page report is prepared for NSGA by Irwin Broh & Associates. Cost of the report to NSGA members is $225 and $295 for non-members. The report is free to NSGA manufacturer members and sustaining retail members.

In addition, brand share reports for 19 footwear categories are available for purchase separately. Contact the NSGA Research Department for details and pricing at (847) 296-6742 or via e-mail: info@nsga.org.