Big Ticket Sales Hit in August Data

US August 2024 Total Retail Sales (On-Off Course)

On-Off Course August ’24 vs ’23: Dollars -3.6%
On-Off Course August ’24 vs ’19: Dollars +35.0%

On-Off Course YTD ’24 vs ’23: Dollars -1.5%
On-Off Course YTD ’24 vs ’19: Dollars +35.6%

Overall, sales across the On- and Off-Course channels remain soft vs. 2023.

While lower-priced purchases (putters, wedges, balls) remain very healthy, on a year to date basis, up +5.8%, +5.3% and +1.1% respectively, big ticket items, such as irons, have struggled. 

What’s more, the ongoing dilemma around golf shoe sales (-12.6% YTD) continues to be a drag on the overall equipment market.

Summary Results

Total equipment sales were down for the third consecutive month thru the On/Off Course channels, and for the fifth time in eight months for the year

YTD sales are -1.5% below 2023 levels, with the largest declines coming in shoes (-17.9%), distance devices (-16.9%) and irons (-8.9%).

The categories with growth include putters (+2.5%), wedges (+2.3%), balls (+1.0%) and woods (+0.5%).