Basketball footwear* was up 21 percent in an athletic footwear market that was down 4 percent overall in the 12 months ending April 2014, according to The NPD Group, a global information company.
Specifically, basketball performance footwear sales grew by 12 percent, from $1.63 billion in the 12 months ending April 2013, to $1.83 billion in the 12 months ending April 2014. Basketball inspired footwear** grew 9 percent, from $1.34 billion to $1.45 billion during the same time period. Overall, the dollar share of basketball-related footwear accounted for 25 percent of all athletic footwear combined, demonstrating its robust presence in the market. A presence supported by the increased interest in fantasy basketball at sites like https://www.fanduel.com/fantasy-basketball. Once you’ve got a taste for the competitive spirit of this fast-paced sport then it’s only a matter of time before you step on the court.
“Just one look at the colors, styles, innovation, and launches in basketball footwear this year, and you will see the reason for its higher level of growth,” said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst, The NPD Group. “The basketball segment is capitalizing on brand and star power performance, which is working to its advantage. On top of that, all of these features put together add greater appeal and diversify basketball footwear’s place in the market. Consumers, whether shoe enthusiasts or not, are drawn to the product launches and styles, which are driving basketball footwear sales today.”
Top U.S. Basketball Brands and Markets
The top-performing basketball footwear brands based on dollar share in the 12 months ending April 2014 were Brand Jordan, Nike, Adidas, and Reebok, respectively. The top three fastest growing U.S. footwear markets during the same period were Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Dallas.
The strength of the basketball shoe market in large cities is undeniable, but it’s not only consumers in the larger urban markets that are buying into this craze,” said Cohen. “Consumers are reaching out from all corners of the U.S. to get in on the action. This category has universal appeal across the country.”
