According to the SIA Retail Audit, sales for the entire winter sport market were up 2.8% in dollars to $1.76 billion for the August 2004 through January 2005 period, compared to $1.71 billion reported for the same period last year. Unit sales were down 7.3%.
It seems the return of favorable weather in the Northeast gave the retail environment the boost it was looking for in January, and allowed Specialty SnowSports retailers to recover from the slow start to the season. Sales at Specialty ski and snowboard shops were up 2.6% to $1.37 billion in sales compared to $1.33 billion for the same period last season. Unit sales at Specialty were down from last season 2.6%.
Sales at Chain stores were also healthy due to the high ASPs these retailers have been able to maintain throughout the season. Sales were up 3.6% to $390.8 million in sales compared to $377.1 million for the same period last season. Unit sales were down from last season 17.8%.
Overall Equipment sales at Specialty retailers were down 1% in dollars as compared to last season with season-to-date sales reaching $514.4 million through January 2005. Surprisingly, equipment sales were led by Alpine Equipment, which posted a sales increase of 2%, while Snowboard Equipment sales at Specialty declined 4% in dollars with a total of $168.7 million in sales.
Chain stores experienced the opposite, with Snowboard Equipment sales climbing 4% in dollars as compared to last season with total sales reaching $56.3 million. Alpine Equipment sales at Chain stores were down 1% over last season with $53.1 million in sales. Overall Equipment sales were up 1% in dollars as compared to last season with season-to-date sales totaling $115.9 million.
