Specialty sports retail sales improving

BOULDER – Specialty sports retailers across the country – especially those selling running shoes and apparel – saw a 7 percent jump in sales in May, according to figures compiled by Leisure Trends Group.

“Minimalist/barefoot styles factored heavily in the growth for both trail running and multisport shoes,” Liz Stahura, a retail analyst at the Boulder-based industry trade company, said in a statement.

Outdoor retail sales across the country were about $518 million in May, or 7 percent higher than May 2010. Leisure Trends does not break out numbers by region of the country. But Boulder County is seen as a strong national player in the outdoor sports industry with well-known outdoor names operating here such as Kelty, GoLite and Sierra Designs, all outdoor gear and clothing retailers.

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Companies such as the footwear maker Boulder-based Newton Running Co. and others across the country appear to be driving the “natural running” trend. Newton said in early June that the company had received about $20 million in venture capital from the investment firm of Paul Fireman, founder of Reebok International.

Paddle sports sales also took off in May with above average-snowmelt in Colorado and across the West.

Sales totaled $57 million, with sales of canoes and kayaks posting double digit increases.

Early June indicators are up for outdoor retailers, despite general economic uncertainty nationwide. Retailers remain cautiously optimistic for summer sales growth, said Greg Shoenfeld, retail relations manager at Leisure Trends Group.

“Soft goods such as apparel and footwear are trending up right now, and minimalist footwear is creating significant buzz with the retailers for June sales growth,” Shoenfeld, said.

Other outdoor gear companies in Boulder County include Spyder Active Sports Inc., the ski racing suit and coat maker, SCARPA North America, which makes hiking and ski boots, and Pearl Izumi USA, which makes bike apparel. Leisure Trends surveys retailers across the country to gather detailed sales data, which it sells to a variety of industry-related buyers.