Outdoor product sales up 7.6 percent

BOULDER - Retail sales of outdoor products were up 7.6 percent in August despite national economic uncertainty, according to monthly research done by Outdoor Industry Association, a trade group. Total national outdoor product sales were $900.8 million, up 7.6 percent from August 2010, according to the OIA VantagePoint trend report from the Boulder-based trade group. Footwear sales led the way in year-on-year gains with a 21 percent increase over August 2010 to $192.3 million. All major categories - hard goods, apparel and footwear posted gains every week of August, according to the trend report. "Stock market instability, anemic job