Outdoor product sales were up by 1.2 percent in April to $673.6 million, slower than the year-to-date trend, according to the latest monthly sales report from OIA. Growth was driven primarily by hardgoods, while footwear and apparel sales slowed due to inconsistent spring weather. The National Accounts Internet and Discount/Mass trade channels continued to provide the strongest growth.
Outdoor apparel sales declined by 3.2 percent to $142.6 million for the four-week period ended May 4, 2013. After double-digit growth in the first three months of 2013, Apparel sales suffered as seasonal weather finally arrived in much of the United States. Sales slowed in cold-weather categories (such as outerwear, headwear and handwear). Warm-weather categories struggled to improve on inconsistent weather trends throughout the month and due to tough comparisons to last year’s strong sales when spring and summer arrived early.
Following a strong March, outdoor footwear sales slid back to negative territory, down 3 percent to $192.0 million, said OIA. While most Footwear categories — namely functional outdoor, running and sandals — were down, comfort casual footwear posted positive growth.
Sales of outdoor hardgoods increased 5.8 percent to $339.1 million in fiscal April, a slight improvement over last month’s trend but still below the double-digit growth seen in January and February. Most hardgoods categories increased over the comparable month last year, with the exception of most camping and climbing/mountaineering equipment, which saw declines as winter held on longer than usual in many parts of the country.
The National Accounts Internet and Discount/Mass channels continued to gain share of sales in fiscal April. National Accounts Internet accounted for 9.5 percent of all outdoor product sales (up from 7.2 percent in April 2012), while Discount/Mass stores accounted for 5.1 percent of sales (up from 2.7 percent in April 2012).
OIA’s April figures came on the heels of reports from the Nationa;l Retail Federation that April retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) increased 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted from last month and increased 3.9 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
“In the face of higher taxes and sequester, consumers provided the economy a bit of a reprieve this month,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Despite colder spring weather and an early Easter, consumers shopped in April, demonstrating an inherent resiliency even as the economy faces serious headwinds, including stagnant job and wage growth.”
April retail sales as released by the U.S. Department of Commerce showed total retail and food services sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as automobiles, gasoline stations, and restaurants) increased 0.1 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and increased 3.7 percent adjusted year-over-year.
Among the April retail sales report, sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores’ sales increased 0.5 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and increased 4.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
