Boat dealer same-store sales down 10.1 percent in December

Boat dealers closed out 2016 on a negative note, with same-store sales dropping in December.

It was the first year-over-year drop in same-store sales for dealers since June 2016, down 10.1 percent from 2015. That’s according to the latest report from CDK Global Recreation, which is based on data from users of the company’s Lightspeed software.

Unit sales were down 14.1 percent for the period, the largest drop since October 2014. However, it’s worth noting that November sales were particularly strong, up 16.3 percent.

Service department revenue was also down, dropping 12.5 percent year over year. That was the largest decline since January 2015. That ended five straight months of revenue gains in the service department.

Parts and accessories sales, on the other hand, continue to be strong. Sales were up 20.6 percent from December 2015. That followed a 20.0 percent increase in November, and was the biggest gain in more than five years.