Report: Sales Of Athletic Footwear On Rise

Dec. 18, 2008: Despite the economic challenges faced by consumers, people are still finding ways to fit purchases of athletic footwear and apparel into their budgets. Sales of athletic footwear to men 13+ used for “casual/everyday use” were up 8.1% for the quarter ending in September over the same three month period last year, driven by a 10% climb in average sale price (from $42.32 up to $46.56), according to market research firm NPD Group, Port Washington, N.Y. In addition, “sport use” athletic footwear sales were up among men 7.2% driven by an 8.5% increase in average sale price (from $44.75 to $48.57). The "active apparel market" posted a modest 0.7% gain for the three months ending in September, with sales of active apparel to women up 2.0% and sales of active apparel to men down 4.6%. “Businessmen will not give up their Sunday jogging when the going gets tough,” Renaud Vaschalde, NPD sport industry expert , said in a statement. “If you look at sales related to sport use, the dynamic of consumption is still there, at least in units." Back to Home Page