The Golfalot.com Price Index for September continues the stable trend of recent months with small fluctuations across the majority of sectors as retailers discount older models to make way for the 2014 releases that will soon enter the Index. Despite the fall of 0.1% this month the Index remains up 1% over the last year.
The Golf Clubs Sector fell by less than -0.2% as Drivers, Utility Clubs and Putters recorded small rises that were offset by similarly small falls in the average prices of Fairway Woods, Irons and Putters. As so often Drivers led the way with growth of 0.8% as prices remained steady and any discounting was offset by the entry to the Index of one of the most talked about new releases of the summer, the innovative SLDR driver from TaylorMade. Utility Clubs (+0.3%) also welcomed a new model in the shape of the Idea Super DHy and new Tight Lies hybrids from Adams Golf as this pioneering hybrid brand was re-launched for modern players. Putters performed strongly with growth of 0.6% as some prices that were discounted in August returned to normal levels. With releases such as the TaylorMade Ghost Tour series anticipated, we predict that this strong showing is set to continue.
Golf Irons fell by 0.5% this month with prices falling across the majority of brands as this sector prepared for the launch of some high profile products. Two heavyweights of the Irons market in Mizuno (JPX EZ, MP-4 and MP-54) and Titleist (714 AP1, AP2, CB & MB) have both recently announced their new lines for 2014 and these clubs are bound to drive performance in the months ahead. Fairway Woods (-0.9%) and Wedges (-0.4%) both experienced small falls although the strength of the Golf Clubs Sector continues with combined growth of +1% in the year to date.
The Golf Accessories Sector experienced a quiet month as small price drops across the majority of brands in three of the four Sectors resulting in a small fall of -0.1%. The only category in the black this month was golf shoes, up 0.5%, as the Nike Lunar Control golf shoe made their debut. Golf Balls (-0.6%), Golf Bags (-0.3%) and Golf Trolleys (-0.2%) all saw retailers competing strongly as the competitive season draws to a close across the country.
Despite the Index falling this month, it is clear from the optimism displayed with the launch of so many bold new products, and with more set to be announced in the coming months, that we enter a key period of the retail year in good shape.
Golfalot.com Price Index www.golfalot.com/News/PriceIndex.aspx