A decline in sneaker imports due to Q3’s Vietnam factory closures combined with a sharp falloff in exercise equipment, resulting in a 10.5% increase in total sporting goods imports to $6,503.3 million in the final quarter of 2021, against $5,883.8 million the year before. For the full year, the huge gains in Q1 and Q2 more than offset declining momentum later in the year, resulting in double-digit growth in every category. The final tally was up 35.8% in 2021 to $27,228.5 million from $20,057.1 million. Compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, athletic footwear was down 5.2%, apparel inched up 1.8%, ... Log in to view full article.