Leisure Trends Group Reports March 2010 Paddle Retail Sales Up 14% over Same Month Last Year
According to preliminary Leisure Trends RetailTRAK™ data, paddlesport retail sales were up about 14% from March 2009, signaling a positive start to the 2010 paddle season.
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Boulder, CO— According to preliminary Leisure Trends RetailTRAK™ data, paddlesport retail sales were up about 14% from March 2009, signaling a positive start to the 2010 paddle season. Growth came from all three store channels and nearly every major product category this month, as specialty, chain and internet sales each saw double-digit growth for the period. After spiking last March, sales of carryover, or clearance, product dropped slightly, but remained well above average levels for this time of year.
Specialty paddlesport stores were up 12% compared to last March. Boats, paddles, apparel and accessories all increased sales this month. Although slightly fewer kayaks were sold this year than in March 2009, the average retail-selling price jumped, pushing dollar sales ahead by about 7% for the period. After spiking last March, sales of carryover, or clearance, product dropped slightly, but remained well above average levels for this time of year. Looking at current product, touring kayaks fueled early-season sales with double-digit growth in both units and dollars compared to last March. Canoes were another positive category, also gaining unit and dollar sales over 2009.
