The dollar value of sporting goods imported into theU.S. last year increased for a third consecutive year to $10,426 million from$9,700 million in 2003. SGMA compiles the U.S. Commerce Dept. data.

The dollar value of all athletic footwear imports rose6.0% to $4.4 billion as imports of non-leather sneakers outpaced the gain bytheir leather counterparts. Total athletic footwear import pairage grew 4.7% to413 million pairs in 2004. The average price per pair increased 1.2% to $10.65from $10.52, a second consecutive year of slightly higher prices.

Mainland China saw a 90 basis point decline in itsdominant share in athletic footwear imports to 76.7% from ... Log in to view full article.