Spending still sluggish
Retail sales on the High Street in June were disappointing despite considerable promotional activity, which did little to encourage consumers to spend. Sales flat lined at just 0.2% compared to the same period last year. This again suggests that consumers are still reluctant to spend. Additionally, from a golfing perspective, football’s Euro 2024 will no doubt had many golfers in front of their screens rather than out on their courses.
The trend in overall sales for the golf industry over the last three months has stalled. Sales in value terms for the month of April were -2.4%, then May +0.4%, but now June has fallen back at -1.0% compared to the same periods last year. Out of the four product groups only one has exceeded last year’s performance. This was consumables at +3.9%. The others were light durables -0.3%, clubs -1.5% and apparel- 4.0%.
Year to date figures have improved overall compared to the same periods last year from -2.7% May to -2.4% in June. Only the consumables product group is now showing growth at +1.6%. The others range from -5.5% for apparel to -1.3% for light durables.
June’s hardware products sales, in value terms, compared to the same period last year show six out of the eleven groups showing growth. These ranged from +2.4% for trolleys to +8.6% for bags. Those showing a decline were club packs -7.9%, shoes -6.6%, irons -6.1% and wedges and distance devices -3.1%. The picture for apparel was even more bleak and polarised. Only two out of the eight products were showing growth. These were outerwear +40.6% and men’s tops+27,4%. The others ranged from -3.4% headwear to -22.7% women’s skirts, trousers and shorts.
Golf Datatech is a Circana Company and the leader in golf industry research. It provides the trade with specialised market research covering retail sales, inventory, pricing, distribution, along with strategic sales and marketing consultancy.
For greater detail contact John Hassett on 07976 797081
Definitions
Clubs: Woods, irons, putters, and wedges
Apparel: Men’s and women’s shirts, bottoms, tops and weatherwear
Consumables: Balls and gloves
Light Durables: Shoes & Bags
Retail News
PowaKaddy bolsters UK sales team with appointment of new Area Sales Manager for the South East
PowaKaddy has appointed Mike Probert as its new Area Sales Manager for the South East. Mike, who is a PGA Member, joins PowaKaddy from Pan World Brands, where he has been representing a number of golf apparel brands over the last 24 months. Prior to that, Mike held a position at PING Europe for nearly 20 years, followed by sales and custom fit positions with Precision Golf, Lynx Golf, and Honma Golf.
Mike joins the company to support further growth in the region, and he brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience of the golf industry in the South of England.
Speaking about his new position, Mike commented: “I’m excited to be joining the UK’s leading electric trolley brand, and to be representing the company in the South East will be a huge honour. I have built my knowledge of the golf industry in the region over nearly three decades, and I can’t wait to bring that knowledge to the table at PowaKaddy. Furthermore, I’m really looking forward to building relationships with my customers, and I’m ready to help them grow their business with PowaKaddy.”
Graeme Wigham, UK Sales Director for PowaKaddy, commented: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Mike to the team here at PowaKaddy. Mike is a great addition to an already stellar team, and his experience in the industry is something that we believe will really help the brand continue to grow in the region. His knowledge of the area is unrivalled, and we believe our retail partners will reap the benefits of that.”
Mike Probert is contactable at Mike.probert@powakaddy.co.uk, or on his mobile: 07548769996.
For more information on PowaKaddy’s 2024 range of high-performance trolleys, bags, batteries and accessories visit: www.powakaddy.com.
ECCO golf unveils contemporary lifestyle twist in new Street 720 model
Global golf footwear pioneers, ECCO GOLF, have once again pushed the boundaries of comfort, style and innovation with the introduction of the sneaker-style ECCO GOLF STREET 720 as part of the Danish brand’s Autumn/Winter 2024 collection.
A golf shoe designed to be worn all day and night, the fresh new model offers big city vibes with a birdie mentality, making it perfect for a night out on the town or a quick 9 holes – or both!
Based on a sneaker from ECCO’s lifestyle collection, the new ECCO GOLF STREET 720 represents an invitation to the game for everyone, making it simple to lace up, get out on the course, and then head out to enjoy some post-round vibes.
With the E-DTS™ TWIST outsole added for multi-directional traction, you can play now and play anywhere, anytime, on and off the course. Sporty, smooth and perforated ECCO leather elevates the urban, versatile look of the hybrid shoe for men and women that comes in a choice of colourways, including all-white and colour-block styles.
From the streets to the fairways, your feet will stay dry and comfortable with GORE-TEX Surround® for waterproof protection and breathability, along with innovative midsole channels that enable air ventilation. While the ECCO GOLF STREET 720 looks like a sneaker, it performs like a golf shoe, with technical features including enhanced stability.
Timo Vollrath, Head of Global Marketing at ECCO GOLF, commented: “We are always looking to push the boundaries between what is considered a golf shoe and a shoe that can be worn away from the course – and with STREET 720 we have taken those lines and blurred them even further!
“This design is truly an introduction to the game for anyone who sees golf and lifestyle as two things that go-hand-in hand, and we are excited to see the STREET 720 on fairways and in cities across the world. It’s a fresh new design with the performance qualities that are synonymous with ECCO shoes, and we are proud to continue to drive forward innovation in golf shoe design.”
ECCO GOLF shoes are worn around the world by Rick Shiels, Erik Anders Lang, Henrik Stenson, Thomas Bjørn, Erik van Rooyen, Lydia Ko, Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Alison Lee, and Freddy Schott among others. For further information about ECCO GOLF, please visit golf.ecco.com.
For more information, please visit golf.ecco.com or contact
Timo Vollrath, Global Marketing Manager, ECCO GOLF.
Email: TVO@ecco.com