Raw Data Report: Sporting Goods

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Sales Are Up and Nike (NKE) Shoes are Among the Most Popular Items Purchased at Dicks Sporting Goods (DKS)

Tickermine surveyed thirty-one Dick's Sporting Goods stores across the county to ask about their top selling items, their customers and how business is faring compared to last year. The top three selling items were reported as Nike shoes, fishing gear and golf supplies, with twenty-one stores (68%) reporting Nike shoes as their best selling shoe brand for its teenage customers. Other top selling shoe brands included, Adidas at four stores (13%) and Timberland at two (6%). Fourteen stores (45%) stated that business has increased from last year whereas six (19%) reported that it had decreased. With regard to sale items, twenty stores (65%) reported a busy month of sales with twenty-one stores (68%) stating that the average amount spent by any one customer is between $40-$80. Five stores (16%) reported their average customer spends over $120. When asked who are their most frequent buyers and what do they buy, a range of responses were received. Men buy golf and other sporting goods, women purchase clothing, and teenagers buy shoes.

Jackets are the Most Popular Item at The North Face Stores, Survey Says

VF Corporation (VFC), the owner of The North Face, the popular clothing, footwear and outdoor equipment retailer, is seeing its stock climb gradually and its earnings are being released on April 22. Tickermine researchers consulted 32 stores nationally and asked which North Face clothing item was most popular, was this item sufficiently stocked, was it difficult to retrieve more of this item, did they suspect a new line would come out soon and had the economy impacted store business? Jackets were cited as the most popular item by 66% of those polled or 21 respondents. Sleeping bags, tents and camping gear collected three responses or 9% and shirts were the same. Raincoats were cited twice or by 6% and packs, men's shorts and waterproof shoes were each cited once or by 3% of those surveyed. Twenty nine respondents, 91% felt sufficiently stocked of these items and 3 or 9% thought they were under stocked (specifically regarding jackets and sleeping bags.) All 32 respondents were confident that they could receive more stock, if needed. Twenty two of those surveyed or 69% did not anticipate any new clothing line any time soon and 10 or 31% expected new items (specifically summer gear.) Twenty one respondents or 66% of those interviewed felt that the economy had no impact on store sales although 11 or 34% felt that the economy made their store sales flatter.

Nike Top Seller at The Finish Line (FINL); Excess Inventory Increasing

Nike shoes are selling well but excess inventory is increasing according to a recent survey of The Finish Line sports retailers throughout the country. At the 34 stores consulted, Nike Shox, Nike Air Jordans, and football and basketball jerseys were named as the top selling items. Nikes were also named as the top selling brand of shoes by 82% of respondents. Adidas and New Balance were cited as top sellers by 6% of stores each, while Converse and Puma were mentioned by 3% of stores each. According to respondents, the average customer spends $106 on a pair of shoes. The average amount spent was reported to be $50 - $75 at 35% of stores, $76 - $100 at 32% of stores, $101 - $125 at 9% of stores, $126 - $150 at 15% of stores, and $250 - $300 at 9% of stores. When asked what the most requested items were that the store doesn't carry, 6% of stores said that customers request Nike Air Force One shoes and another 6% receives requests for Air Jordans for toddlers. Dr Scholls is the most frequently requested brand not carried according to 6% of stores. Fifty percent responded that they don't receive specific requests outside of brands and items carried. Despite increased traffic at 50% of stores surveyed, excess inventory and sale items are greater than last month. Another 35% of stores reported that traffic is about the same as over the past few weeks, while only 15% said that traffic seemed down. Fifty-nine percent of stores consulted reported that there seems to be more merchandise on sale versus last month, 29% reported the amount of sale merchandise has remained the same, and 12% reported less merchandise on sale. Teenagers buying shoes and runners were cited as the most frequent buyers at The Finish Line stores.