According to retail point-of-sale data compiled by SportScanInfo, outdoor equipment, apparel and footwear sales through the sporting goods, mall, department store, and discount/mass channels were up in the mid-single digits for the month of January while units sold were down in the low-single digits. Average selling prices were up considerably in all three major categories-footwear, apparel and hardgoods.


Many retailers say that inventories are still at a record low, but consumers are finally deciding to go shopping again (albeit on a limited scale). So, now many key items are out of stock at retail and sold out from the vendor. The good news is that this should considerably reduce off-price and closeout sales, making retailers more profitable.

The average selling price of outdoor footwear, apparel and equipment was up over 10% in January.


Outdoor Equipment sales were up in the mid-single digits in January, driven primarily by Snow Sports equipment, which saw a double digit increase compared to the same month in 2009.


The Outdoor Apparel categories showed a low-single digit decline in sales from the sporting goods, mall, department store, and discount/mass retailers.  Excluding the ski and snowboard apparel categories, Outdoor Apparel sales would have been up in the mid-teens.
 
Outdoor Footwear sales in January were up in the double-digits. Winter Boots, Outdoor Casual, Light Hiking, and Approach/MultiSport footwear all saw double-digit increases sparked by heavy snowfall in the eastern population centers. 
 
For more details on January outdoor sales at retail, go to the full story in today’s issue at www.TheBossReport.com or contact the SportsOneSource Group for more information on weekly retail point-of-sale tracking through the new OIA VantagePoint research platform launching next month at www.oiaVantagePoint.com — The Official Research of the Outdoor Industry.