Backcountry Gear sales spurs industry growth (again)

Does it seem like your local backcountry stash is getting skied more and more? Likely because it is. According to recent data, backcountry gear sales have once again fuelled the majority of growth in ski sales last year. Alpine Touring boot sales jumped 27% and backcountry accessories sales such as beacons, probes and shovels increased 12%. Overall the industry saw growth even given the less than average snowfall over parts of North America. Have a read of the article below for all the numbers.

The ski and snowboard retail market finished the 2013/2014 season with $3.6 billion in sales, according to SnowSports Industries America and Leisure Trends final RetailTRAK numbers, up 4 percent in units sold and up 7 percent in dollars sold compared to the 2012/2013 season.

Equipment sales—at $867 million—were the highest the market has seen since 2010/2011 when $913 million in snowsports hard goods were sold. Apparel sales hit $1.5 billion, down 2 percent in units sold and up 4 percent in dollars sold. And accessories sales reached $1.3 billion, up 7 percent in units sold and up 14 percent in dollars sold

Here are some of the notable trends from the RetailTRAK

Alpine Touring/Randonee equipment sales increased 8 percent in dollars and units sold. Lack of snow in the Sierras likely stalled backcountry equipment sales in California.

Sales of Alpine/AT boots, which may be one of hottest items in the alpine market, are up 27 percent to 93,000 units sold, and up 21 percent in dollars sold to $37 million. Alpine/AT boots make up nearly 16 percent of dollars sold and 12 percent of units sold in the alpine boot market.

Sales of women’s cross-country equipment increased 32 percent in units and 28 percent in dollars sold to over $6 million.

Junior girls snowboarding equipment sales grew 37 percent in units and 36 percent in dollars sold. Overall, snowboard equipment sales are flat in dollars sold to $256 million.

Backcountry accessories sales including beacons, probes and shovels increased 12 percent in units and dollars sold.

Sales of action cameras were up 10 percent in units sold to 121,000 cameras and up 20 percent in dollars sold to $41 million.

Alpine insulated tops sales were up 13 percent in dollars sold to $529 million and up 8 percent in units to more than 3 million units sold.

Apparel accessories including gloves, baselayer, headwear, neck gaiters, etc. increased 7 percent in units sold and 11 percent in dollars sold to $664 million.

Snowsports sales were healthy through the 2013/2014 winter, but drought conditions in California dragged on the market throughout the season. Record cold temperatures in the Midwest, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and even the in the Deep South drove apparel accessories sales higher. Snow and cold temperatures explain about 3/4 of the variance in snowsports sales season to season.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are already noting a heightened possibility for El Niño conditions during the 2014/2015 winter. Although it is far too early to make serious predictions, that would bode well for the drought-stricken Sierras.

Story from gearinstitute.com