Supplier sales remained down through April compared to last year but suppliers regained some ground from the first quarter, according to the BPSA Topline for Cycling RetailTRAK from Leisure Trends Group.
Inventory remains an ongoing concern, with supplier inventory up 54 percent in dollars and 63 percent in units in April.
In April, suppliers sold 17.7 percent fewer bicycles to IBDs than in April last year. Those bicycles were worth 9.8 percent less in dollars. April sell-in to retail resulted in a slight improvement from year-over-year comparisons through March. Through April, suppliers sold 18.8 percent fewer bikes worth 12 percent less in dollars compared to the same period last year.
“At the BLC in April we mentioned that it was still too early to panic. After all, the three biggest months (April, May and June) were still ahead of us. It is encouraging that April was better than the first quarter. However with April still down over last year it puts more pressure on May and June sales to improve the numbers for the year,” said Michael Forte, director of operations for Felt Bicycles and chairman of the BPSA statistics committee.
Mountain bikes buoyed April sales, with sales increases in 26-inch rigid mountain bikes and all 29-inch mountain bike categories including rigid, front-suspension and dual suspension 29-inch mountain bikes. Dual-suspension 29-inch mountain bikes were up 53.7 percent in units and 25.6 percent in dollars in April, resulting in monthly sales of more than $10 million.
Inventory remains an ongoing concern, with supplier inventory up 54 percent in dollars and 63 percent in units in April compared to the same month last year.
The full Leisure Trends Group sell-in data is paid for by the BPSA and distributed to its members on a monthly basis.
