BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — For the first time in 2014, IBDs posted growth in sales dollars and units in March. According to Leisure Trends Group's RetailTrak IBD sales summary, all merchandise sales were up 3 percent in units and 4 percent in dollars to hit $255 million over March 2013 — enough to compensate for early year losses and bring 2014 first quarter sales on par with last year at $546 million.
All bicycle sales were up in March — 13 percent in units and 5 percent in dollars, but road bikes continued their downslide, losing 8 percent over the same period last year. The 26-inch mountain bike category also slid 18 percent to $11 million, and 29ers fell again for the second straight month, with an 8 percent loss to land at $22 million.
But 27.5-inch mountain bike sales grew to $6 million in March, up from $100,000 the same period in 2013, accounting for 15 percent of mountain bike dollars for the month. And although 29er sales were down, they still made up 56 percent of mountain bikes sales, while 26-inch sales accounted for 28 percent.
Lifestyle/leisure bike sales grew 33 percent to hit $7 million, and transit/fitness bikes sales were up 21 percent at 27 million over March 2013. And kids' bikes grew an impressive 24 percent to reach $8 million for the month.
Helmets, shoes and apparel accessories were all up compared to March last year. Helmets grew 23 percent to land at $8 million, shoe sales were up 6 percent at $7 million and apparel accessories sales rose 4 percent to close at $5 million. Apparel, however, was down 2 percent over March 2013.
Besides tires and tube sales, which were up 10 percent to $12 million, almost all aftermarket part sales were down 1 percent, landing at $43 million for the month.
Aftermarket accessories grew 3 percent, coming in at $46 million, over March 2013.
March 2014 vs. March 2013:
- All bicycles: +5%
- • Road bikes: -8%
- • Mountain bikes: +4%
- • Transit/fitness bikes: +21%
- • Lifestyle/leisure bikes: +33%
- Shoes: +6%
- Apparel: -2%
- Aftermarket parts: -1%
- Aftermarket accessories: +3%
