Dollar sales reached 468.5 million US dollars between Labor Day (first September’s Monday) and the first week of fall (3 weeks ending September 27, 2014), a 9% increase compared to the same period last year. According to the same source, the basketball category experienced the largest growth with 48% variation, accounting for nearly one-quarter of total athletic footwear sales.

Basketball footwear also saw increases in both unit sales (31% up) and average retail price (9 US dollars) compared to the same time period last year.

“Back-to-school shopping shifted this year to include September, which contributed to the September surge in footwear sales. Retailers can learn from this example of how today’s consumers are in the ‘need now, buy now’ mindset”, commented Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst from the NPD Group, adding, "Basketball shoe sales in particular are a great example of just how different the consumer shops today, and how the sneaker culture has shifted over the past couple of years.”

“Colder weather is approaching, and so is the desire for the products that keep us warm,” said Cohen. “This considerable jump in outdoor footwear sales over the past year can largely be attributed to the fact that consumers today, more than ever before, are looking to buy footwear that does more than just go for a hike or plow through snow, but is functional for their casual and outdoor lifestyle. Designers today are appealing to consumers by doing precisely that: offering practical weather and season-specific footwear that is also fashionable, and can be worn outdoors as well as in the workplace.”