Preliminary data from “Sporting Goods Market in 2007,” a report published annually by the National Sporting Goods Association, indicates that the average price point for athletic footwear rose 3.4% in 2006. In 2006, the average price rose to $42.16 versus $40.78 in 2005. In 2005, NSGA said the average price point had risen 2.3% from $39.87 in 2004.

The preliminary data which reflects the broader information that will be made available in May in its “The Sporting Goods Market in 2007” report, is based on a consumer study of 100,000 U.S. households.

The data closely mirrors the year-to-date point-of-sale data compiled by SportScanINFO, which reflects a 3.0% increase in ASP’s in athletic footwear. The SSI data reflects the retail calendar, which runs from February through January, while the NSGA data is based on a calendar year. The delta here may be found in January 2006, where ASP’s rose sharply versus the previous January, base din large part on the launch of Nike’s Air Max 360 product. Those numbers are not included in the fiscal 2006 numbers recorded by SSI.

The SportScanINFO data indicates that the average selling price for athletic footwear is $45.77 for the YTD period, compared to $44.44 for the comp YTD period in 2005.

The NSGA data shows that males aged 18 to 24 paid the most for athletic footwear, spending an average $61.82 per pair. Among females, the highest average price point was $46.39, also in the 18-24 age group. However, this group barely edged out women age 65 and older, who paid an average of $46.24 per pair of athletic shoes.