Consumers purchased $1.01 billion in used sporting goods equipment in 2006, according to a newly released report by the National Sporting Goods Association. This is the ninth study done by the Association on the used equipment market and the first time used equipment purchases have exceeded $1 billion. It reflects only purchases of products surveyed in the Association's Sporting Goods Market in 2006 report.
For 2005, consumers indicated they had purchased almost $885 million in used sports equipment.
Used equipment for the outdoor sports (camping, fishing and the shooting sports) represented purchases of $602 million, the largest single category. With most other categories showing modest changes, the 19% growth in the purchase of used outdoor sports equipment pushed the total to more than $1 billion.
Used exercise equipment (the second largest category) had purchases of just over $196 million, about the same as last year.
“With the rise in the number of sporting goods stores that emphasize used equipment sales and the growing use of the Internet, it is important for NSGA to look at the impact of these changes in channels of distribution,” NSGA Vice President of Information & Research Thomas B. Doyle said. “The purchase of used equipment is a two-edged sword. It may take away from new equipment purchases initially, but it also may provide the entry point for future purchasers of upgraded equipment.”
In certain product categories, the number of units purchased is substantial. In exercise equipment, more than 800,000 treadmills and stationary exercise bicycles were purchased used. “The average price is not high, $136 for a treadmill; $55, for an exercise bike. A majority of the sales continue to be between private individuals, but the percent of Internet sales grows each year,” Doyle said.
“Purchases of Used Sports Equipment in 2006” uses the same panel as is used for NSGAs “Sporting Goods Market” report. The report is based on a survey of 60,000 households in which 39 products were surveyed regarding purchases during 2006. “Because of the limited number of products surveyed, the total used equipment market is much larger than $1 billion reported in the study,” Doyle said.
The report provides information on the number of units sold, average price and total dollars as well as place of purchase information. Included in the place of purchase information are traditional channels of distribution as well as online/Internet purchases and purchases from private individuals.
The standard demographics provided for purchasers include age, gender, annual household income, education of household head, and geographic region of the country.
