The first in a series of in-depth reports that will examine which marketing channels influence consumers the most as they’re deciding whether or not to purchase a new boat was released yesterday and its findings indicate that boat shows still play a very important role in the shopping and purchase process. Read more >>
Tags: boat show report, boating industry, nmma
Brunswick released its third quarter earnings report this morning for the nine months ended Oct. 2 and shared at least some encouraging news, including net sales up 22 percent vs. third quarter 2009. Boating Industry will have full coverage of the report in Friday’s e-news (to download a PDF of Brunswick’s report click here). But one of the most interesting aspects of the release was the information the company shared regarding its inventory pipeline. Read more >>
The National Marine Manufacturers Association distributed a release yesterday in response to a decision by the Environmental Protection Agency to grant limited approval for the sale of gasoline containing up to 15 percent ethanol for model year 2007 and newer motor vehicles. NMMA said the decision specifically excludes marine engines and other non-road engines such as snowmobiles, lawn and garden equipment, as well as other gasoline-powered small engines and does not allow E15 for marine engines of any age. There is no waiver for marine engines older than model year 2000. Read more >>
Tags: boating industry, e15, MRAA, nmma
The boating industry received several pieces of positive news this week as the National Marine Bankers Association reported signs of stabilizing retail boat prices, the federal government reached a decision that will allow more dealerships to qualify for SBA loans, and IBEX organizers said that attendance at this year’s event was up 13 percent from 2009. Read more >>
This Sunday there will be exactly six weeks left until the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo begins at the Orange County Convention Center and Rosen Plaza hotel in Orlando. Read more >>
With Congress back in session this week, the Senate approved a bill yesterday that has the support of both the National Marine Manufacturers Association and the Marine Retailers Association of America, who believe it will provide tax relief for small businesses and improve access to loans. Read more >>
There was an article yesterday on boat repossessions in Georgia that caught my attention. It was reported that at Holiday Marina on Lake Lanier business has picked up with respect to “ordinary boats” but a number of slips were vacant due to the absence of houseboats valued at more than $1 million, which lenders were repossessing in “record numbers.” Read more >>
As Hurricane Earl continues to brush northward along the East Coast, boaters in its path continue to make preparations for the storm’s arrival, while reports from North Carolina’s Outer Banks indicated it had done less damage there than many had feared. Read more >>
With the news this week that Grow Boating, Inc. has selected OLSON as its agency-of-record for the re-launch of the Discover Boating marketing campaign, here’s some more information on the Minneapolis-based marketing firm that will be helping direct the effort to get more people on the water. Read more >>
This week the National Marine Manufacturers Association released the results of an online survey of 178 chief executives of member boat, engine and accessory manufacturers on the effects of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico on the recreational marine industry.
These numbers were the most widely reported:
– 3 of 5 recreational marine businesses have been affected by the oil spillage.
– Nearly 4 of 5 companies anticipate some effect from the oil spillage on their business through the remainder of the year.
– 68 percent of companies were told that a cancellation was directly due to the oil spillage.
– 76 percent of companies had forecast sales growth in 2010 prior to the oil spillage.
– 70 percent of companies have downwardly revised their 2010 sales projection as a direct result of the oil spillage.
But here’s a look at what else the survey found: Read more »
