Results of the Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s 2016 State of the Industry Report (SOTI) show another moderate year of industry growth despite major disruption in the sporting goods sector. Other mixed signals include more casual participation, but less core sports and fitness participation; more athleisure sold, but less performance wear sold; more footwear sold, but less equipment sold; and significant retail contraction, but ongoing pockets of retail sales strength.
“Our industry is in an era of mixed signals and of course unprecedented disruption,” said Tom Cove, SFIA President & CEO. “There is no question that we’re facing a tough marketplace, but our data shows there continues to be growth across the sports and fitness industry. While declining numbers in core team sports participation are a cause for concern, we did see an overall uptick in total team sports participation. Furthermore, retail has been disrupted in a way no one could have predicted, but in 2015 for the third year in-a-row our industry saw 2% growth,” he added.
Total team sports participation numbers trended positive in 2015, but core team sports participation continued to decline.
“Youth sports participation is the foundation of our industry for the next 50 years,” commented Cove. “The decline in core participation is alarming, if we don’t turn that decline around the industry as a whole will face problems.”
The three fastest growing sports in terms of 3-year participation rates remain unchanged. Stand Up Paddling, Adventure Racing and MMA for Competition are quickly transitioning from fads in to sustainable sports categories.
To purchase the SFIA 2016 State of the Industry Report, click here.
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