Sporting goods sales on increase

The advance was the largest percentage gain in the industry since 1997, when wholesale sales rose 5.2 percent, according to an SGMA International news release.

Thomas J. Cove, executive vice president of SGMA International, attributed the growth to an improved economy.

Last year, advances were seen in the five largest categories of sporting goods, which are sports apparel, athletic footwear, fitness equipment, golf equipment, and hiking and camping equipment, according to SGMA International.

The largest increase was in sports apparel, which experienced a 5 percent rise in wholesale shipment, from $22.8 billion to $24.1 billion.

The biggest sellers at Har-Bell Athletic Goods, 315 Park Central West, were

moisture management garments and team uniforms, storeowner Bryan Tucker said. Although Tucker declined to release the store’s sales figures, he said Har-Bell’s sales increased about 10 percent in 2004.

“I think part of (the increase) is due to a new salesman, but we made some changes in the last year and went out and got more aggressive,” Tucker said. “But it seemed liked the schools had more money to spend this last year than they did the previous year.”

The strong sales of team uniforms at Har-Bell may support results of SGMA International research, which showed participation in organized sports has increased while pickup play has declined.

Of the 4 percent increase in shipments of fitness equipment, from $3.8 billion to almost $4 billion, 80 percent represents equipment for home exercise. Home exercise equipment’s biggest consumer is said to be baby boomers. The market for fitness-related products is growing as baby boomers age and become more concerned about being healthy, according to SGMA International.

Jeff Newlin, co-owner of Play It Again Sports, at 1300 E. Battlefield, said he credits fitness equipment for his store’s 20 percent increase in sales last year. He declined to give specific sales figures.

Shipments of athletic footwear increased by 2.6 percent, from $9.7 billion to almost $10 billion, according to SGMA International.

Golf equipment sales rose from $2.42 billion to $2.49 billion, an increase of 3 percent.

Hiking and camping equipment shipments also increased 3 percent, from $1.72 billion to $1.77 billion.

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