The Southwick/Home Port Boating Products marine accessories and products survey
7/19/2006
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, JULY 19, 2006 - Estimates of annual US marine aftermarket accessory sales are generally in the $2.5-3 billion range, but what’s behind the big number is still relatively unknown. A new monthly survey of consumer purchases of boating equipment may provide the industry with more detailed and useful information.
The Southwick/Home Port Boating Products Survey, announced at the opening of MAATS (Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show) 2006 in Las Vegas today, will track specific, individual boater purchases across all major marine product categories. The unique survey will be managed jointly by outdoor economics research firm Southwick Associates and marine products development consultancy Home Port Marine Marketing. Southwick provides research services to Home Port clients.
“The Southwick/Home Port Survey will track a wide range of monthly accessory purchases. We will be able to report brands and their market share, sales trends and where people buy boating products - catalogs, retail stores and online,” said Rob Southwick, President of Southwick Associates.
“This survey is the beginning of a process that we hope will significantly improve the quality of US aftermarket accessory sales information available to help manufacturers, distributors and retailers better understand their strengths and weaknesses. Everybody has internal information, but nobody has good benchmark information to assess their performance against the market,” said Home Port President Jim Georgiadis, the former head of merchandising for retailer BoatU.S.
Consumers will register and report their marine accessory purchases online at http://www.boatersurvey.com/. Monthly drawings for gift certificates and other promotions will encourage boaters to participate.
The Southwick/Home Port Boating Products Survey, announced at the opening of MAATS (Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show) 2006 in Las Vegas today, will track specific, individual boater purchases across all major marine product categories. The unique survey will be managed jointly by outdoor economics research firm Southwick Associates and marine products development consultancy Home Port Marine Marketing. Southwick provides research services to Home Port clients.
“The Southwick/Home Port Survey will track a wide range of monthly accessory purchases. We will be able to report brands and their market share, sales trends and where people buy boating products - catalogs, retail stores and online,” said Rob Southwick, President of Southwick Associates.
“This survey is the beginning of a process that we hope will significantly improve the quality of US aftermarket accessory sales information available to help manufacturers, distributors and retailers better understand their strengths and weaknesses. Everybody has internal information, but nobody has good benchmark information to assess their performance against the market,” said Home Port President Jim Georgiadis, the former head of merchandising for retailer BoatU.S.
Consumers will register and report their marine accessory purchases online at http://www.boatersurvey.com/. Monthly drawings for gift certificates and other promotions will encourage boaters to participate.