Athletic retailers offer their predictions.
Lee Silverman
President & Founder; JackRabbit Sports, New York
“We’ll see a return to basics in running. We’re seeing more people with 5Ks and half marathons on their goals list for this year, and a big rebound in running goals. Hopefully that translates to a pickup in running shoe sales.”
Edward Albertian
President & CEO; City Sports, Boston
“Digital engagement (tracking, sharing, etc.) will continue to be at the forefront in 2015. This is more important than ever, and we see it in our sales of Fitbits and GoPros. As much as digital will continue to become more important, outdoor activities will become increasingly relevant again as many folks look to reconnect with nature.”
Todd Kirssin
GMM; DTLR, Baltimore
“What’sgrowing is the whole in-home workout, with videos like ‘Beach Body,’ ‘Insanity’ and ‘P90X.’ It was a big gift item for Christmas. It works because it’s easy. You can do it in the house and you don’t have to go to the gym. You wake up, go in the basement and bang it out in 20 minutes and get on with your day.”
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Ted Kushion
Merchandise Manager; Gazelle Sports, Kalamazoo, Mich.
“The biggest thing we see happening is more new runners are willing to differentiate their training. It used to be only the hardcore trainers doing things like yoga, speed work or hills. Now we’re seeing newcomers looking for ways to add to their training as well.”
Rich Wills
Owner; FITniche, Lakeland, Fla.
“The big trend seems to be the decline in the minimalist category, as traditional brands and styles have incorporated more minimalist characteristics: lower drops, lighter weights, etc. Minimalism isn’t going away — it’s just being subsumed into the more traditional products.”
