Statistics : SFIA (SGMA) Releases its First Holiday Shopping Outlook ( USA )

According to data from the recently released SFIA Pulse Report, industry indicators reveal the sports and fitness industry in the U.S. is on stable ground and the future is optimistic. In the most recent edition of the Pulse Report, there is the first ever SFIA (formerly SGMA) Holiday Shopping Outlook.  Data from the Sports and Fitness Confidence Index was combined with other retail oriented data to look at what we might expect from this season’s holiday shopping period.  

Each edition of the Pulse Report looks at current consumer and industry sentiment with respect to current and future behaviors– at the cash register and on the field of play.

In the current edition of ‘The Pulse,’ which analyzes third quarter activity in the U.S., there were many promising consumer findings:

• Positive Activity Trend.  The percentage of people who expect to be more active in the future has increased every quarter since the 4th quarter of 2011
• Racial Demographic.  Among Hispanics, Caucasians, Asian-Americans, and African-Americans, a higher percentage of Hispanics are said to be more  likely to be more active in the next six months
• Future Spending News.  15.6 percent of consumers plan to spend more on sporting goods equipment, sports apparel, and athletic footwear in the next six months, 23.2 percent of consumers plan to spend less on those three categories.
• Participation Impact on Spending.  In recent quarters, participation has been on the upswing, while spending intentions have been sluggish, which indicates a ‘pent up’ consumer demand.

“One of key indicators that we follow in ‘The Pulse’ is spending on sporting goods equipment,” said Neil Schwartz of SFIA Research.  “Any increase or spike in anticipated participation is a good omen for spending for sporting goods equipment.”

In this edition of the Pulse Report, there is the first ever SFIA Holiday Shopping Outlook.  Data from the Sports and Fitness Confidence was combined with other retail oriented data to look at what we might extect from this season’s holiday shopping period.

The report is available free of charge to SFIA members.  For non-members, the cost is $495.00.

On Tuesday, Nov, 20 at 2:00 pm (Eastern), SFIA will present a webinar to learn about consumer purchase intentions for this year’s holiday season.  This first-ever ‘holiday shopping preview’ will be based on data from the Q3-2012 Pulse Report.

( SportsOneSource Media )