We’ve Got The Beat

Drum & Percussion Sales in 2016

With nearly as many dealers participating in this month’s survey reporting lower sales of drum, percussion, and related gear in 2016 compared to last year (38.8%) as those reporting an increase in traffic (40.9%), it’d be fair to say the results of this poll point to a “mixed bag.”

Lower and intermediate-priced full kits are accounting for the bulk of business, overall (over 80%) and sticks and accessories make up of the majority of sales volume in this category, suggesting that for whatever reasons folks are not looking to make those big-ticket purchases in the current climate. Part of this could be chalked up to the same malady that was oft-referenced in our recent surveys about the electric guitar market: a dearth of younger people starting up bands.

The school and church markets remain vibrant, though, and a host of musical genres are inspiring certain individuals to take up the drums (or percussion instruments) in 2016…