NSGA predicts 2% sales growth in sporting goods for 2002
A report from the US National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) has forecast that retail sales of sporting goods, which reached $45.9 billion in 2001, will grow 2% in 2002 to reach $46.7 billion. The figures were part of "The Sporting Goods Market in 2002," an NSGA publication based on a survey of 100,000 US households.
Despite some weaknesses in the US economy in 2001, none of the major categories of athletic and sport equipment, footwear and clothing showed declines. Footwear only managed a small 2% gain, while equipment and clothing were flat. Total sales of athletic and sports footwear were $13.3 billion in 2001, compared with $13 billion in 2000. The NSGA projected a 1% growth in the footwear category for 2002.
Sales of sports equipment were $21.5 billion in 2001 versus $21.6 billion in 2000, a decline of 0.04%. The NSGA projection for 2002 is a 2% increase to $21.9 billion.
Equipment categories with sales of more than $1 billion were (exercise, golf, fishing and camping equipment) showed growth of between 1%-6%. Wheeled sports, which include scooters, were the biggest losers, with sales down 35% to $726 million. The NSGA said it expects exercise ($4.0 billion), and golf ($3.8 billion) to maintain a dominant market position in 2002. However, if one combines camping, fishing and hunting into an "outdoors" market, this market exceeds $5.6 billion in sales.
The Association expects sales of sport clothing to grow 3% in 2002, to $11.4 billion versus $11.1 billion in 2001.
