The NPD Group announced the winners of its first Outdoor Sports Industry Performance Awards. The awards acknowledge the fastest-growing brands of 2020 across the major outdoor categories in the United States including snow sports equipment, according to NPD’s Retail Tracking Service.
The outdoor market generated $6.1 billion in U.S. retail sales in 2020,* and snow specialty brought in $2.5 billion season-to-date through December 2020.** As consumers have sought ways to be active, outside, and practice social distancing in their backyards and other outdoor settings, camping (+36%), water sports (+19%), and additional areas of the market experienced year-over-year growth in sales.
Below are the top-performing brands of 2020 in the U.S., based on dollar sales growth versus the prior year.
Category Brand Winner
- Accessories Gregory
- Apparel BUFF
- Footwear HOKA ONE ONE
- Equipment Accessories Dometic
- Camping NEMO
- Water Sports BOTE Paddle Boards
- Snow Equipment Thule
“After a truly unprecedented year, we are grateful that despite much uncertainty in the world today, both new participants and existing enthusiasts have found refuge in the outdoors throughout the pandemic. We are happy to recognize the companies that played an important role in meeting the heightened consumer demand,” said Jim Kelley, president of NPD’s Sports practice. “Congratulations to the award winners. We wish all of you, and our industry in its entirety, healthy and successful rest of the year.”
