All winter sports retail sales in the U.S. for theseven-month 2004-2005 season ended March 31 were $2.25 billion, according tothe latest SIA audit. Unit sales for the season dipped 7.8%. In specialty skiand snowboard shops, total season sales were 1.5% higher at $1.74 billion, rising3.3% in the period’s final month ended March 31. In chain stores, total seasonwinter sport sales climbed 3.5% to $509.5 million, despite a 17.8% decline inunits, on soaring ski system sales and modest snowboard apparel revenues. Somecategory highlights from the 2004-05 season:

Chain storeequipment sales rose 2% to $149.7 million with alpine gear also rising 2% to$72.5 ... Log in to view full article.