Outdoor Industry Association reported that retail sales for all core outdoor stores fell 11% in November. It marked the first month of overall dollar sales decline since the recession started in December 2007. All three store channels and all four major product categories (equipment, equipment accessories, apparel and footwear) declined in November.
Internet sales saw their first month of negative sales growth since the OIA Topline began tracking online sales in 2005. The channel declined 7% in overall dollars compared to November 2007. All four major product categories slid in November. Core outdoor chain stores lost 19% in overall dollar sales compared to November 2007. Specialty stores fell 8% as all four major product categories suffered losses.
Paddle product sales from all three channels fell 19% in dollars with retail prices dropping 4%. All three tracked retail channels declined in November, suffering across-the-board losses compared to November 2007. Year to date, overall dollar sales were down just 2%.
Looking at all three channels, small items such as water bottles, headwear and handwear increased sales. Winter boots grew 6%.
In YTD dollars, all equipment increased 8%, equipment accessories 10%, apparel 5% and footwear 4% for the period.
