According to OIA, retail sales for all core outdoor stores combined declined 7% in May compared to the same month last year, moving from $448 million to $418 million. Sales for the first five months of the year totaled $1.8 billion, down 5% from the same period in 2008.
Specialty store sales declined 9% in dollars this May. Deflationary pressures may be coming into play as specialty retailers strived to move product and compete against the chain and online channels. So far this year, units have fallen 6%, average retail prices 4% and dollars 10%. Comparing this May to last, both equipment and apparel experienced double-digit dollar declines while equipment accessories and footwear werent far behind with single-digit drops.
After a strong showing in April, chain store sales fell 11% in units and 10% in dollars this May. OIA sees Internet sales sliding 6% in units and 5% in dollar sales.
According to the report, Internet sales in 2009 have been sporadic at best; up 35% in January on huge carryover sales, down 9% in February, back up 14% in March, down 17% in April and now up 5% in May.
Most remarkable is the dramatic increase in average retail-selling prices at Internet, which were up 12%. Higher retail prices for equipment, equipment accessories and footwear may indicate less excess merchandise and/or online retailers reducing the amount of low-margined clearance product they are willing to sell.
Core paddlesport stores had $54 million in retail sales this May and $139 million so far in 2009, dropping 11% and 6%, respectively, against the same period last year. Approximately 41,500 boats were sold for $30 million at retail this month, an 11% unit and 16% dollar decline from May 2008. Year-to-date all boat sales slipped 8% and 10% in units and dollars, respectively.
