NPD Group is taking over the retail sales tracking and consumer research business of Leisure Trends, an American market research firm that has been providing statistical data in the sports, outdoor and recreation industries. The combined operation will be based in Boulder, Colorado, collecting information from over 26,000 stores in all kinds of channels and from more than two million consumers. Leisure Trends adds tracking of sports equipment and great depth of coverage for apparel and athletic footwear. In particular, Leisure Trends has been working closely with the Snow Industries Association. It was set up by Jim Spring after he sold his previous market research business to NPD many years ago. NPD says it is now tracking the sports market with consumer and retail panels in 14 countries accounting for 19 percent of the global population and 67 percent of estimated global sales of sports products.

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