EsImporters of winter-sports apparel expect sales in 2017 to be the worst since 2013, at least on the basis of products imported during the peak shipping period of July through October. Panjiva data shows total imports of skis, boots, gloves and apparel dropped by 8.5% on a year earlier in October, with the four month period declining 2.7%. A late surge of shipments in November can’t be ruled out if retailers are running tighter inventory management than in the past.
Source: Panjiva
Most categories of equipment have seen a downturn, with imports of jackets having fallen by 7.1%, echoing a broader decline in apparel imports as outlined in Panjiva research of November 8. Among the specialist equipment lines skis did significantly worse than boots, falling 38.3% compared to a 49.1% rise for the season overall, which may also speak to consumer spending levels.
Much of the improvement in shipments of boots occurred earlier in the season however, with a drop of 44.4% in the month of October. As a consequence imports of boots are still 32.6% lower than in 2014, suggesting suppliers including Dalbello and Amer Sports still have significant work to do to rebuild sales. The only product line to do well in October was goggles, suggesting increasing optimism for buyers including Oakley and Bushnell.
Source: Panjiva
