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Report: Outdoor product sales decline in May

Published June 11, 2013
Bike sales through outdoor retailers also weak

BOULDER, CO (BRAIN) — Sales of outdoor products fell 1.7 percent in May compared to the same month last year, according to the Outdoor Industry Association VantagePoint report.

VantagePoint tracks point-of-sale data from more than 10,000 retail locations and websites that carry outdoor products, including nearly 450 outdoor specialty locations.

The latest report found that sales of cycling products through these locations fell slightly in the month. The OIA did not publish specific details on sales biking products. 

In other categories, outdoor apparel sales fell 3.3 percent to $162.8 million for the four-week period ending June 1. Outdoor footwear sales, overall, were down 9.2 percent, with outdoor sandal sales, in particular, taking a hit, while technical hiking and outdoor trail shoe sales were up slightly. 

Outdoor hardgood sales were up 3.3 percent.

The OIA noted the growth in sales through online retailers and discount/mass retailers continues to make up a larger portion of its totals. Online retailers accounted for 8.1 percent of all outdoor product sales, up from 5.2 percent in May last year, while discount/mass retailers contributed 4.3 percent of all sales, up from 3.1 percent last year. 

The OIA VantagePoint monthly trend report is available free to Outdoor Industry Association members. More information: outdoorindustry.org/join.