Data in the newly released NSGA Report “The Sporting Goods Market in 2010” quantified what U.S. golf retailers already knew — that 2009 was a year they’d like to forget. Consumer purchases of golf equipment reached $2.8 billion, down 19% from $3.5 billion in 2008. NSGA forecasts a 1% increase in golf equipment sales in 2010.
Sales of golf clubs sold in sets reached $1.3 billion in 2009, down 26% from 2008. Sales of individual clubs (not sold in sets) fell 9% to $532.0 million in 2009. Sales of golf shoes, surveyed separately from golf equipment, experienced a 16% decline to $202.0 million. Sales (estimated, not surveyed) of golf balls were $726.7 million, and golf bags $242.1 million.
In the recently released NSGA Sports Participation in 2009 report, golf participation had shown a 4% decline.
Total U.S. retail sales of sporting goods (footwear, clothing and equipment), which slipped 1% in 2008, fell 3% in 2009, according “The Sporting Goods Market in 2010.” For 2009, sporting goods sales reached $50.7 billion and are forecast to rise 2% to $51.5 billion for 2010.
Fifteen of the 24 equipment categories surveyed by the Association last year showed declines. The balance (except for hunting and firearms, which grew 14%) showed modest (2% to 8%) increases.
“The Sporting Goods Market in 2010” is a copyrighted NSGA consumer study that projects 2009 purchases of sporting goods products based on a survey of 100,000 U.S. households. National Family Opinion, Inc. (NFO) maintains the consumer panel used in the survey, which is balanced to parallel actual American household distribution as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Census, so that the data can be projected nationally.
“The Sporting Goods Market in 2010” is available for $295 for retailer/dealer members of the Association and free to manufacturer and sustaining members. For non-members, the cost is $340.
The report comes in both printed and electronic formats. For additional information, contact Dan Kasen, NSGA, 1601 Feehanville Drive, Suite 300, Mount Prospect, IL 60056-6035. Phone: (847) 296-6742, E-mail: dkasen@nsga.org. or fax: (847) 391-9827.
NSGA www.nsga.org