Sales up more than 20% at outdoor gear retailers Altrec.com and REI.com
Growing popularity of outdoor activities continues to drive sales at outdoor gear e-retailers, with Altrec.com and REI.com both reporting increases in sales this year running more than 20% over last year.
"In March, we ran 25% above last year," says Shannon Stowell, vice president of business development for Altrec, which like REI sells a general range of outdoor sports equipment and apparel such as kayaks, skis and fleece-lined jackets.
At REI Inc., which operates 65 stores in addition to its web site, online sales are far outpacing store sales. "Our first-quarter retail store sales are exceeding last year by 3.6%, including some new-store sales, but that doesn`t compare with REI.com sales, which are up more than 20% in the first quarter and continuing into April," a spokesman says. He adds that REI`s busiest season starts in May.
REI.com sales are doing particularly well in apparel, a category with recent product introductions such as a new line of nylon/fleece jackets that are waterproof, breathable and stretchable, and a new line of stretchable exercise clothing for practitioners of yoga.
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