BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — Total IBD merchandise sales fell 2 percent in December, according to Leisure Trends Group’s RetailTrak IBD sales summary. That contributed to a 3 percent decline in total merchandise sales in bike shops for the full year, compared with 2012.
The report estimates December merchandise sales at $212 million. Although retail selling prices were up 5 percent over December 2012, units fell 7 percent. Total yearly sales were estimated at $3.2 billion.
Bicycle sales gained 1 percent to total $106 million in the month, with mountain bike sales continuing their upward momentum with a 7 percent gain to reach $32 million. Dollar sales in the 26-inch wheel category fell 6 percent to reach $15 million, but 29er sales grew 4 percent over December 2012. The 27.5-inch category reached $2.5 million to account for 8 percent of December mountain bike dollars.
With the exception of road, which was down 13 percent, most major categories saw dollar gains compared with December 2012. Transit/fitness jumped 17 percent to reach $18 million, and children’s bikes rose 8 percent to reach $15 million.
Many non-bike categories were down in December, with apparel falling 9 percent to $12 million, aftermarket accessories dipping 6 percent to $50 million and aftermarket parts falling 4 percent to $26 million.
December 2013 vs. December 2012:
- All bicycles: +1%
- Road bikes: -13%
- Mountain bikes: +7%
- Transit/fitness bikes: +17%
- Lifestyle/leisure bikes: +2%
- Shoes: -1%
- Apparel: -9%
- Aftermarket parts: -4%
- Aftermarket sccessories: -6%
