Compared to March 2013, paddle sport sales gained 5% in sales to reach $41 million. Units grew a strong 10%, but average retail-selling prices slipped 5%, according to figures from Leisure Trend Group.
Sales by channel proved to be mixed; specialty (+4% to $30 million) and chain (+20% to $7 million) posted gains while online sales fell 13% to $4 million.
Across the three channels, boat sales fell 5% in units but a notable 9% increase in average retail selling price pushed dollars up 4% to $25 million. Up 50% to nearly 3,000 sold, stand up paddleboards bucked other boat unit losses. Kayaks, down 4%, and canoes, down 42%, drove the overall boat unit decline.
Apparel sales held even with last March at $2.6 million, says Leisure Trends. However, ARSP slipped 5% offsetting much of the 6% increase in units. Accounting for 41% of apparel dollars, footwear sales jumped 8% to reach $1 million. Accessory sales hit $9.7M million at retail, an 8% gain.
March 2014 over March 2013 category changes in dollar sales by channel:
All Specialty dollar sales up 4%
Specialty boat dollar sales +3%
Specialty paddle dollar sales +5%
Specialty accessory dollar sales +12%
Specialty apparel dollar sales -2%
All Chain dollar sales up 20%
Chain boat dollar sales +44%
Chain paddle dollar sales +7%
Chain accessory dollar sales -3%
Chain apparel dollar sales +3%
All Internet dollar sales down 13%
Internet boat dollar sales -28%
Internet paddle dollar sales -17%
Internet accessory dollar sales +7%
Internet apparel dollar sales +4%
