Sales of outdoor products increased 2.9 percent in fiscal August to $868.2 million according to the latest figures from OIA. As in fiscal July, outdoor hardgoods and apparel posted solid sales while footwear again struggled.
The national accounts Internet, specialty Internet, and discount/mass trade channels once again provided the strongest growth in outdoor product sales for the four-week period ended August 31, 2013. Outdoor apparel sales rose 6 percent to $160.8 million, down slightly from the July growth rate but still well above levels seen since April. The growth in apparel was driven primarily by sales increases in outerwear as well as sportswear, says OIA. Active bottoms (specifically active shorts) remained weak for the month.
In accessories, socks, headwear, and handwear sales all declined.
Outdoor footwear sales continued its downward trend in fiscal August, with sales down 12.9 percent to $204.3 million. Most categories declined for the month, with the exception of technical hiking and trail shoes, which were the only primary categories to post positive growth.
Sales of outdoor hardgoods increased 10 percent to $503.1 million in fiscal August, a slight increase in the growth trend compared to the previous two months. Most hardgoods categories increased over the comparable month last year, with the exception of the electronics and trailers/racks categories. Sales of camping equipment, one of the largest segments within outdoor hardgoods, had double-digit growth for the month.
