Survey to track consumer marine accessories purchases
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Some have estimated that annual marine aftermarket accessory sales in the United States are generally in the $2.5 billion to $3 billion range, but what’s behind the big number is still relatively unknown, Home Port Marine Marketing said in a press release Wednesday. A new consumer boating equipment purchases monthly survey may provide the industry with more detailed and useful information.
The Southwick/Home Port Boating Products Survey will track specific, individual boater purchases across all major marine product categories. Outdoor economics research firm Southwick Associates and marine products development consultancy Home Port Marine Marketing will jointly manage the survey. Southwick provides research services to Home Port clients.
”The Southwick/Home Port Survey will track a wide range of monthly accessory purchases,” said Rob Southwick, Southwick president. “We will be able to report brands and their market share, sales trends and where people buy boating products: catalogs, retail stores and online.”
”This survey is the beginning of a process that we hope will significantly improve the quality of U.S. aftermarket accessory sales information available to help manufacturers, distributors and retailers better understand their strengths and weaknesses,” said Jim Georgiadis, Home Port president and former head of merchandising for BoatU.S. “Everybody has internal information, but nobody has good benchmark information to assess their performance against the market.”
Consumers will register and report their marine accessory purchases online at www.boatersurvey.com. Monthly drawings for gift certificates and other promotions will encourage boaters to participate.
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