Deutsche Bank Comments On Althetic Footwear Sales

Deutsche Bank issued its Athletic Footwear Weekly on Wednesday with data for the week ended December 13.

Analysts led by Dave Weiner noted that “Total Athletic Footwear sales (per SportScan Info SSI) accelerated to +7.2 percent y/y last week, but the 2Y stacked figure slowed to +8.4 percent.

“Again higher units sold drove the entire sales increase as ASPs finished lower y/y. Basketball was relatively constant with the prior week with sales up +11.5 percent y/y.

“A new Jordan Retro 13 model and the launch of the Jordan Spizike drove the category forward. Running growth of +9.5 percent y/y was also consistent with the previous week. Within the category, Nike’s Air Max 2015 is beginning to gain traction even as the brand’s Free 5.0+ platform remains very strong.”

According to Weiner, “Nike increased +9.8 percent while Under Armour soared +149.7 percent and Adidas contracted -33.0 percent.”

Overall “Athletic Footwear sales increased +8.2 percent y/y in the 13 week period ending 11/29 (their F2Q), an uptick from the +3.8 percent growth in the period ending 8/30 (F1Q).”

The firms tops picks were Nike Inc NKE, Dicks Sporting Goods Inc DKS and Foot Locker, Inc. FL. Although not a top pick, Under Armour Inc UA was rated Buy.