Retail sales of sporting goods, which reached $45.8
billion in 2002, are expected to grow 2% in 2003, according to the National
Sporting Goods Association (NSGA). For 2003, sales of athletic and sports
equipment, shoes and clothing are forecast to reach $46.8 billion.

In 2002, athletic and sport clothing showed a 2% decline. Footwear was able
to eke out a small 2% gain as it had the previous year. Equipment was flat.
Total sales of athletic and sports clothing were $10.0 billion in 2002,
versus $10.2 billion in 2001. Total footwear sales reached $14.1 billion in
2002 versus $13.8 billion the previous year.

Sales of sports equipment were $21.7 billion in 2002 versus $21.6 billion in
2001. The Association projects a 2% increase in equipment sales to $21.9
billion for 2003.

“In equipment categories with sales of more than $1 billion, an 11% rise in
exercise equipment sales was offset by a 14% decline in golf equipment
sales,” said NSGA Vice President of Information & Research Thomas B. Doyle.
“A 12% increase in hunting equipment sales was partially offset by a 2%
decline in fishing tackle sales. Sales in these major categories were $2.5
billion and $2.0 billion respectively.

“Wheeled sports, which include scooters, were the biggest losers, with sales
down 32% to $494 million,” Doyle said.

Sales of recreational transport equipment (bicycles, pleasure boats and
motors, recreational vehicles and snowmobiles) are forecast to rise 3% in
2003. Recreational transport equipment sales in 2002 were $32.1 billion, a
12% increase from the previous year. The recreation transport category has
risen dramatically in recent years. Led by strong RV sales, the category has
grown from $13.5 billion in 1992 to the more than the $32 billion forecast
for 2003.

Sales of all sporting goods and recreation transport equipment are expected
to grow 2% in 2003 to $79.8 billion. This compares with total sales of $77.9
billion in 2002 and $74.3 billion in 2001.

The data is reported in “The Sporting Goods Market in 2003,” a copyrighted
NSGA consumer study that projects 2002 purchases of sporting goods products
based on a survey of 100,000 U.S. households. The consumer panel used in the
survey is maintained by National Family Opinion, Inc. It is balanced to
parallel actual American household distribution as reported by the U.S.
Bureau of Census, so that the data can be projected nationally.

“The Sporting Goods Market in 2003” is available for $225 for
retailer/dealer members of the Association and free to manufacturer and
sustaining members. For non-members, the cost is $295. For additional
information, contact Thomas B. Doyle, NSGA, 1601 Feehanville Drive, Suite
300, Mount Prospect, IL 60056-6035. Phone: (847) 296-6742, E-mail:info@nsga.org, or fax: (847) 391-9827.

                        Sales of Sporting Goods
                             (in billions)
							Change
	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003*	03 vs. 02

Equipment	$19.2	$20.3	$21.6	$21.6	$21.8	$22.2	2%

Footwear	$13.1	$12.6	$13.0	$13.8	$14.1	$14.5	2%

Clothing	$12.8	$10.3	$11.0	$10.2	$10.0	$10.2	2%

Sub-Total	$45.1	$43.2	$45.7	$45.6	$45.8	$46.8	2%

**Recreational
Equipment	$24.7	$28.0	$28.8	$28.7	$32.1	$33.0	3%

TOTAL	$69.8	$71.2	$74.4	$74.3	$77.9	$79.8	2%

*2003 numbers are forecasts.
**Bicycles, pleasure boats, RVs and snowmobiles; projections provided by
other associations.
SOURCE: National Sporting Goods Association, Mount Prospect, Illinois