The Golfalot Price Index in the UK stayed almost level for the second consecutive month as the newly launched products started to hit the streets. The higher prices of new product outweighed the discounting of old stock in the main hardware categories.
All the main club categories were up 1-2% as the new ranges from Mizuno and Srixon were available for pre-order. On the other hand the accessory categories of Balls (-0.8%), Bags (-2%), Shoes (-1%) and Trolleys (-4%) brought the UK Index back to a small fall of 0.4% as the lack of new products and the end of the golf season combined to force a fall in prices.
The USA Golfalot Price Index performed in a similar way with the 1.5% fall due entirely to 10% fall in the Trolleys section, where two BagBoy trolleys were cut by a total of $775 by one retailer. Taking these two products out of the equation saw a 0.2% rise in the USA Index as Wedges (+2.6%), Fairways (+2%), Utilities (+1.9%), Shoes (+1.5%) and Bags (+1.2%) overcame Balls (-1.8%), Irons (-1.1%) and Drivers (-0.7%)
“Despite the reporting of harder economic times ahead, the golf retail industry seems to be holding its own,” said Golfalot’s Martin Hopley. “Having recently visited the Munich Golf Show, all the main manufacturers have a strong range of new products for 2008 that we feel will entice the golfer to upgrade their equipment.”
The Golfalot Price Index allows the golf industry to compare price trends both within the UK and USA and between both countries. The indices operate in the same way by tracking the prices of the latest models from each manufacturer are chosen as they reach the market. Therefore the models tracked always reflect pricing on what the serious golfer wants – the latest technology. Prices are taken from Golfalot.com’s market leading golf equipment price comparison service in the UK and USA.
For more detailed information view the Golfalot Price Index graphs for the UK & USA online at www.golfalot.com/priceindex