Supply Chain Research

The 2018/19 American ski season may be challenging for enthusiasts with poor conditions expected for the U.S. east coast and Sierra Nevada resorts. Yet, retailers may be expected improved spending on ski and snowboard gear with an 11.1% year over year increase for the peak import period of the four months to Oct. 31. Ski equipment imports from China, which represented 37.7% of the total in the 12 months to Oct. 31, became subject to 10% duties in September. That wasn’t enough to deter importers, including privately-owned K2 and Luxottica’s Oakley, who may see the price elasticity of dema...