After a down period in the 2008 fourth fiscal quarter through January, Sport Footwear sales rebounded in the retail fiscal first quarter ended May 3, posting a low- to mid-single-digit increase in sales for the period. Based on retail point-of-sale data compiled by SportScanINFO, the increase came from a mid-single-digit increase in average retail selling prices for Sport Footwear, which offset a low-single-digit decline in unit sales.
All major retail channels of distribution tracked by SportScanINFO posted increases for the fiscal first quarter, with the exception of Sport Specialty and Mid-Tier Department Stores.
Average selling prices were up in all channels, with the exception of the Internet/Catalog channel, which posted a mid-single-digit decline in average selling prices.
“The increase in average selling prices was due in part to a shift in gender sales and a shift in product mix,” said James Hartford, chief market analyst for The SportsOneSource Group, which manages the SportScanINFO system. “Sales of womens Sport Footwear declined for the first quarter, while mens and kids both showed increases. Basketball, Running and Hunting/Field Boots all showed significant increases for the period, which helped push average selling prices higher.”
Hartford also noted that the Skate category, the fastest-growing category over the last year, also posted strong double-digit growth that was fueled in part by a low double-digit improvement in average selling prices.
A full review of fiscal first quarter sales, market share and top selling styles is available 24×7 at www.SportScanInfo.com. For more information of fiscal first quarter results for Sport Footwear, Sport Apparel, Sports Licensed Products, Athletic Hardgoods and Outdoor Hardgoods, please call 704.987.3450 x110 or e-mail to sportscan@SportsOneSource.com.
