October 23, 2009 (McLean, Va.) – Did you know that women bought a record number of winter boots, 802,000 pairs sold for $67 million and that 2008.09 brought in $843 million in sales of women’s specific snow sports equipment, apparel and accessories? Also, that 2008.09 brought in $2.82 billion in sales of snow sports equipment, apparel and accessories in specialty brick and mortar shops, chain stores and on the Internet? Stats like these and much more are included in SIA’s Women’s and Retail Reports.

SnowSports Industries America (SIA) is pleased to announce the release of two Reports; the Women’s Snow Sports Market Intelligence Report and the NEW Retail Snow Sports Market Intelligence Report. The highly valuable and exclusive industry research in these reports is available from no other source than SIA.

The Reports provide valuable insight into retail sales and participation trends, demographics, analysis of buying power, and comprehensive view of sales of equipment, apparel, and accessories sold in the snow sports marketplace. The information in each Report is specific to the women’s and retail markets.

Here’s just a sample of information that can be found in the 2009 Women’s Snow Sports Market Intelligence Report:

Women specific product sales represented 28% of total sales in the snow sports market for the 2008.09 season
The typical female snow sports participant is 31 years old, participates in a winter sport five days each year
Two of the top five best selling ski models are made specifically for women

20% of female snowboard riders are over 35 and the average age for females increased from 19 to 26 in 2008
Women can fully outfit themselves (outerwear, accessories and equipment) for skiing or riding for less than $1,500

And in the 2009 Retail Snow Sports Market Intelligence Report:

– 34% of core participants would definitely buy new equipment if they believed it would improve their performance on the mountain.
– On average, 35% of snow sports apparel, equipment and accessories are sold in December
– 8,100 Total U.S. storefronts and companies that purchase winter sports product to sell at retail, rent, use for promotional purposes or use for professional purposes
– 3,401 square feet average selling space devoted to winter sports products

Anyone interested in snow sports will value the capacity of these Reports and appreciate the ability they provide to identify industry niches and the value of the data in efforts to gain financial support, understand consumer demographics, industry trends, and forecasting using quantitative and qualitative sources.

The Retail Report is available for the first time this year. This Report includes a comprehensive benchmarking tool for retailers to compare critical aspects of their business to other retailers including product diversity, margins, yield per square foot, years in business, etc.

The 2009 Women’s Report covers a variety of retail channels including snow sports specialty shops, chain stores, and the Internet. It includes easy-to-follow analysis and highlights along with stand-alone chapters for alpine, snowboard, cross-country, telemark, backcountry, randonee/AT, equipment and apparel accessories, and apparel categories.

These reports are free to SIA Members. The non-member price, for each SIA Snow Sports Market Intelligence Report, is $425. Full reports on the overall market and junior’s specific snow sports products are available. If you have any questions about this report or about the snow sports industry please contact Kelly Davis, SIA’s Director of Research, at KDavis@snowsports.org or by phone at (703) 506-4224.