Pic: Business Wire
Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, US sports equipment company Brooks Sports Inc. (Brooks Running) recently reported that its third quarter global revenue was up by 49 per cent year over year (YoY), leading to a 2020 outlook of 27 per cent growth. According to Brooks sales data, the brand gained 1.6 million runners in October this year.
Brooks’ digital sales, both through brooksrunning.com and retail partners, flexed from less than 35 per cent of sales in 2019 to a peak of 82 per cent of all sales this past April, and has since stabilised at 42 per cent of sales, up 7 points from pre-COVID levels.
As pandemic precautions seized brick and mortar retail, the brand increased support for same-day delivery and curbside pick-up programs for retail partners, helping them get product into runners’ hands in a safe and efficient manner.
“We believe in the positive power the run can create in someone’s day and its additive benefits over time. It is also an effective antidote in troubling times, and we’ve seen that prove true as running participation increased since March,” said Brooks Running chief executive officer Jim Weber in a statement.
According to The NPD Group, the company captured the largest share increase year-to-date through September in the US adult performance running footwear category, gaining 4 share points versus the same period in 2019.
Brooks is working hard to be agile, curious and resilient during this time of uncertainty. Its Run-Sight Lab research team increased its runner engagement cadence and quickly identified a mindset shift for those running amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, many of whom are leveraging the run for its mental benefits rather than running to achieve a fitness, distance or event-related goal.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, US sports equipment company Brooks Sports Inc. (Brooks Running) recently reported that its third quarter global revenue was up by 49 per cent year over year (YoY), leading to a 2020 outlook of 27 per cent growth. According to Brooks sales data, the brand gained 1.6 million runners in October this year.