The SportsOneSource Group today reported that U.S. Sport Footwear sales increased in the mid-single-digits for the 4-week fiscal month ended August 1 (Fiscal July). The Athletic Footwear side of the business easily out-performed the outdoor categories as consumers continue to align their wardrobes for back-to-school with casual athletic offerings. Sales are tracked through the company's proprietary SportScanInfo (SSI Data) weekly data collection, aggregation and reporting technology.
"We see no slowing in the trend to casual active lifestyle footwear," explained James Hartford, CEO and Chief Market Analyst at The SportsOneSource Group. "Coming out of numerous discussions with footwear executives at the OR Summer Market show last week there is no doubt that the running consumer and other performance consumers have found the quality and performance they require in lower priced casual running silhouettes in the mid-tier and family footwear channels. The running specialty channel continues to be one of the hardest hit channels, down in strong double-digits, as consumers shun performance running product over $100."
The Casual/Active Lifestyle Footwear categories saw sales grow in the high-teens in Fiscal July. Classics posted strong double-digit growth for the month on sales of Nike Air Force 1, and Converse All-Stars. Lifestyle Fashion Athletic sales also improved in double-digits on strong sales of numerous Skechers styles, Nike Juvenate and Jordan Eclipse Styles. Skate sales remained flat on strong Vans sales for Fiscal July
Running Footwear sales improved in the mid-single-digits in Fiscal July but it was strong double-digit sales growth in Fashion/Casual Running styles that drove the fiscal month while Performance Running Styles sales declined in the mid-teens. Still, Cushioned Running improved in the mid-single-digits on the trend to higher stack product.
Basketball Footwear grew in the mid-single-digits for Fiscal July.
Sport Footwear sales at Family Footwear grew in the mid-teens for Fiscal July while Athletic Specialty/Sporting Goods and Internet sales improved in the mid-single-digits. The Specialty Retailers segment struggled, declining in the mid-teens for the four-week period.
