Total outdoor product sales reached $449M in May, up 14% in units and 12% in dollars over May 2007. All four major product segments (equipment, equipment accessories, apparel and footwear) increased dollar sales over last May, according to Outdoor Industry Association Outdoor Topline Report.

 

May marked the fifth straight month of overall sales growth in 2008 for core outdoor retail channels (specialty, chain, internet), according to OIA.

 

All four major product segments (equipment, equipment accessories, apparel and footwear) increased dollar sales over last May.

All paddle product sales from all three channels totaled $60M, a gain of 8% over May 2007. Unit sales increased 5% for the same period. Accounting for 59% of all paddle sport dollars, total boat sales reached $35M and gained 4% and 8% in units and dollars respectively.


Outdoor specialty stores gained 5% in units and 4% in dollars this month. In dollars, apparel gained 10%, equipment gained 5%, equipment accessories gained 3% and footwear dropped 4%.


Outdoor chain stores gained a healthy 15% and 13% in units and dollars respectively, compared to the same month last year. All major categories (equipment, equipment accessories, apparel and footwear) made dollar gains for the month.


Outdoor internet stores enjoyed robust sales increases yet again, as total May sales grew 31% in units and 25% in dollars. Apparel, equipment and equipment accessories each saw double-digit dollar growth, while footwear sales edged up 1% compared to May 2007.