According to the latest Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Outdoor Topline Report, February 2009 retail sales for all core outdoor stores, including chain, Internet and  specialty stores, slipped 17% to $341.2 million from $412.0 million in the year-ago month. Declines came from all three store channels and all four major product categories.


 


However, the OIA noted that bright spots emerged even in this tough month, as items related to hiking, camping, kayaking, canoeing and other easily-accessible outdoor vacations remained strong in each channel. Apparel sales struggled, however, as weather and economic conditions converged to create a very difficult climate for sales.


 


Specialty Stores Move Through Carryover Product


 


OIA said specialty store sales totaled $181 million in February, dropping 15% in unit sales, 5% in retail prices and 19% in dollars compared to February 2008. Every major product category and most sub-categories lost sales for the month. The largest declines were reported in apparel.


 

The report saw few bright spots for the month, with climbing gear, down-fill mummy and synthetic-fill rectangular sleeping bags, small and large packs, water bottles, camp/energy food, water purification, stoves and multisport shoes all performing well.  OIA said retailers continue to move their old product as total carryover (old/discontinued or sold below cost) unit sales increased 13% in specialty stores, moving from 6% of all units sold last February to 9% of all units sold this month.

 


Chain Stores Ring Up Early Camping Sales


 


Chain stores brought in $99 million for the month, down 17% in units and 18% in dollars from last February. As in specialty stores, nearly every category declined for the month, with apparel categories falling the hardest.  Positively, sales growth came out of water bottles, recreation tents, rectangular sleeping bags, camp cookware, water purification and hiking boots, trends that the report suggests are proof that “camping and outdoor vacations continue to resonate with cash-strapped consumers in early 2009.”


 


Internet Sales Show First Decline Since November


 


Online sales also shrank in Fenruary, according to the report, only the second month to do so since the OIA Outdoor Topline Report started tracking Internet sales in 2005. The first month of declines came in November 2008. Compared to February 2008, total unit sales slipped 22% and dollars dropped 9% to $61 million. While equipment accessories, footwear and apparel each saw sales drop, equipment apparently “eked out” a 1% gain in dollar sales, the only major product category to do so across all three channels. Recreation tents, small packs and winter equipment each contributed to the category’s growth. On the soft-goods side, fleece tops, hiking boots and winter boots each increased dollar sales this month.


 


Paddlesports Sales Up Across All Channels


 


While February sales are typically small for paddlesports, there is reason for optimism as key categories built momentum this month. All paddle product sales from all three channels (specialty, chain, and internet) grew 7% in units this month, but fell 2% in dollars as retail-selling prices declined 8%. Compared to last February, specialty stores dropped 5% in overall dollars while chain stores grew 8% and internet grew 10%, both off of a small base. Recreation kayaks, canoes, canoe paddles and accessories all increased sales in specialty stores this month. February typically accounts for about 3% of each year’s total paddlesport sales.