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Outdoor Industry Posts Positive Sales for May

BOULDER, Colo. — Consumers geared up to get out in May, snapping up products such as tents, sleeping bags, packs, climbing gear, water bottles, camp accessories, shell jackets, hiking boots, trail running shoes, multisport shoes and sportswear, all of which made significant gains over May 2007 and contributed to the fifth straight month of overall sales growth in 2008 for core outdoor retail channels.*

May continued an ongoing trend of healthy 2008 sales, outselling the same month last year for the fifth straight month according to the Outdoor Industry Association Outdoor Topline Report (produced by the Leisure Trends Group). Total outdoor product sales from all three channels (specialty, chain and internet)* reached $449M in May and gained 14% in units and 12% in dollars over May 2007. All four major product segments (equipment, equipment accessories, apparel and footwear) increased dollar sales over last May.

All paddle product sales from all three channels (specialty, chain, internet)* totaled $60M, a gain of 8% over May 2007. Unit sales increased 5% for the same period. Accounting for 59 percent of all paddle sport dollars, total boat sales reached $35M and gained 4 percent and 8 percent in units and dollars respectively.

Demand for Outdoor Product Remains High in All Three Distribution Channels

Outdoor specialty stores gained 5% in units and 4% in dollars this month. In dollars, apparel gained 10%, equipment gained 5%, equipment accessories gained 3% and footwear dropped 4%.

Outdoor chain stores gained a healthy 15% and 13% in units and dollars respectively, compared to the same month last year. All major categories (equipment, equipment accessories, apparel and footwear) made dollar gains for the month.

Outdoor internet stores enjoyed robust sales increases yet again, as total May sales grew 31% in units and 25% in dollars. Apparel, equipment and equipment accessories each saw double-digit dollar growth, while footwear sales edged up 1% compared to May 2007.

*OIA Topline Report Outdoor and Paddle channels include: outdoor and paddle specialty, national outdoor chains, regional sporting goods chains and outdoor (and paddle) internet specialty merchants.

To access the OIA outdoor retail sales Topline data and to review trends by industry channel and category, OIA members can log in at http://www.outdoorindustry.org or call 303.444.3353 for assistance.

For additional brand growth and brand and model market share reports, please contact Leisure Trends Group at 303.786.7900 x107 or visit http://www.leisuretrends.com.