Despite the work stoppages in two sports, sales of sports
logo clothing increased 1% to $2.57B in '94, up from $2.55B the
previous year, according to a report from the National Sporting
Goods Association. The boost was due to a 19% growth in consumer
purchases of logo clothing for "other sports" and a 4% increase
in the purchase of "school logo" clothing. This gain helped
offset the more than 5% decline in sales of logo clothing from
MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL. Tom Doyle, Dir of Information and
Research at NSGA, expects "modest growth" in '95, but believes it
"may take another year for the market to regain the momentum of
two years ago." The four majors saw declines in every category
in '94, while jackets, t-shirts and hats in the "school" category
showed the largest increases. "Other" sport logos include
celebrities and pro logos other than MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL.
"School" includes high school and college (NSGA).
FOOTWEAR FAILS TO MOVE FORWARD: NSGA also reports that
a decline in average prices for almost all athletic and
sport footwear kept retail sales unchanged from '93, at
$7.8B. The largest increases were in sports sandals
(+106%), hiking shoes (47%), and cross training shoes
(+25%). "Walking shoes" saw sales decline 5% (NSGA).
NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT NASCAR: NASCAR Properties
will be featured at the NSGA World Sports Expo '95, to be
held July 16-18 in Chicago, where patrons will be able to
see some of the newest NASCAR licensed products, and ask
questions to NASCAR licensees (NSGA).
