Businesses need to understand what’s selling. That’s why our near real-time sales tracking lets brands monitor the market and make much more informed decisions about what to buy and sell at different times of the year and the product cycle. We help both brands and retailers decide what products and categories to focus on, analyse their pricing structures, and manage their relationships with each other and with consumers. To support these needs, we complete regular sales research across America. Our work tracks two types of sales; wholesales sales into the market and retail sales to end consumers. These projects, in running, tennis, and surf & skate, are trusted across the industry, from major manufacturers like Head, Wilson and Babolat, to independent dealers.
Sales Trends
Wholesale Monitors
Working with the key manufacturers in a particular sport, we aggregate and analyse their quarterly wholesale sales numbers to get a view of what’s on the market. We are trusted to handle their data securely and sensitively, as we have done for decades, and so no reports reveal a manufacturer’s individual business data. What they do give is a clear picture of how the market is trending over time.
In tennis, the wholesale monitor is produced on behalf of the Tennis Industry Association, which has served the business of tennis for over 40 years. Today, TIA is the only trade organization representing all facets of the tennis industry, providing research, collaboration and advocacy to advance the economic vitality of the sport. For more information, visit, www.tennisindustry.org/
The monitor takes place on a quarterly basis in the USA and on a half-yearly basis in 16 European markets.
Retail Audits
A retail audit goes one step beyond a wholesale monitor by tracking sales through to end consumers. Retail audits support both manufacturers and retailers.
Retailers supply monthly sales data through their electronic point of sale (EPOS) systems, which are securely stored and analysed by our team. Monthly interactive dashboard reporting gives near-real time feedback on what is selling at what price. Using the data enables manufacturers to identify growing categories, and plan your product design, launch, marketing, and pricing strategy accordingly. Meanwhile, retailers can see what is selling and adjust their buying, inventory, and pricing decisions accordingly.
Our current specialty retail audits include:
- Running Shoes
- Surf & Skate (ActionWatch)
- A full soft and hard goods audit of the surf and skate industries in the USA and Australia
- Click here to learn more about ActionWatch
- Tennis
- Racquets, balls and shoes
“I can state without hesitation that SMS produces the industry’s most accurate and timely reporting, in addition to being the easiest to digest and use.”
Terry Schalow, Executive Director, Running Industry Association, Retail Audit Supporter
