Sporting Goods Market on the Rise - Statistical Data Included

American Fitness, July, 2001

Inventory efficiency, controlled growth and sports participation are the keys to future growth in the sporting goods industry according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) annual State of the Industry report. This annual analysis of the sporting goods industry was released in January at The Super Show[R] in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The core components of the industry--sporting equipment, sports apparel and athletic footwear--are profiled in this report. Each category exhibited growth in 2000 and additional increases are expected in 2001.

In 2000, sporting goods equipment sales were $18.03 billion--a 3.9 percent increase since 1999. Equipment sales are expected to reach $18.65 billion this year. The top two categories for equipment sales in 2000 were exercise machines ($3.7 billion) and golf ($2.8 billion). A number of activities showed positive signs in 2000: frequent golf participation is on the upswing, girls' fast-pitch softball is at an all-time high, interest in tennis is rebounding from a mid-'90s low, basketball remains America's favorite team sport and health club memberships are at record levels.

Sports apparel sales last year were $20.4 billion (a 2.1 percent boost since 1999) and are expected to reach $21.1 billion in 2001 (a 3 percent expansion). This slow rate of growth is a reflection of the overall clothing market. Despite this slowdown, the women's sports apparel market is getting more attention because of increased women's participation in basketball, soccer, softball and fitness activities.

Athletic footwear sales in 2000 were $9.05 billion (a 4.4 percent climb since 1999) and are expected to reach $9.5 billion in 2001 (a 4.7 percent increase). The top three categories of athletic footwear are running, basketball and cross-training shoes. For the first time since 1997, back-to-school sales showed a definite spike, which is a sign the teen market is renewing its interest in the category.

The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), owner of The Super Show[R], is the trade association of North American manufacturers, producers, and distributors of sports apparel athletic footwear, fitness and sporting goods equipment. SGMA represents and supports its members through programs and strategies of sports participation, market intelligence and public policy.