Retailers hot for consumers wanting to get out in the cold
PORTLAND, Maine — Over the summer, people looking to get out of the house snapped up boats, bicycles and patio furniture, figuring they were safer socializing and being active outdoors than inside. Now that temperatures are dropping, they’re buying snowshoes, skis, boots and winter coats, boosting the beleaguered retail sector.
“People want to get outside in the fresh air,” said Jay Rock from Arlberg Ski and Surf Shop in Portland.
“Ifeellikepeoplearenottoo concerned about spending money.”
When shoppers aren’t looking for ways to stay active many are looking to stay comfortable, meaning sales of items like slippers andwarmpajamashavealso skyrocketed.
Hotsellerstendtofallinto several categories — productspromotingahealthylifestyle, working and learning from home, and entertainingfromhome, saidMarshal Cohen, chief retail analyst at the NPD Group.
“The cozy comfort business continues to thrive because we’ve now worn slippers every day” since the pandemic hit, he added.
For outdoor gear, cross-country skiing equipment was up 202% and snowshoes were up 221% from August to October, the latest data available, and are still going strong, according totheSnowsportsIndustries America.
In the comfort segment, slippers are up 70% and the sleepcategoryisaheadoflast year, whennearly$8.5billion worth of pajamas were sold, NPD Group said.
Sleepwear is just about the only area of the clothing sector that’s seeing growth this year, Cohen said. An NPDsurveyonstay-at-home behaviors indicated about half of Americans reported wearing activewear and loungewear and pajamas all day as more people work from home.
The trend is a continuation of what began in the spring and summer.
Peoplearecancelingtravel and staying home because of the pandemic, but they’re also seeking to get outdoors toavoidgoingstircrazy. That made barbecues, outdoor furniture, outdoor heaters, trampolines, canoes and camping gear hot commodities.
Shopper Kara Douglas of Harpswell picked up some cross-country ski boots, snow pants and other outdoor gear for her family.
She said it’s important for everyone, especially her daughters ages 11 and 14, to get outside.
“They’re spending a lot of time doing school remotely.
They’re spending way too much time on screens. For my kids, I just feel like we need to be really, really diligent about keeping them outside and keeping them active,” she said.
Some retailers are struggling to keep items in stock.
At Rodgers Ski & Sport in Scarborough, shoppers looking to get outside are snapping up alpine skis, and they’ve purchased so many cross-country skis that the supply is low, said Bryan Gallant, assistant manager.
Customerswantsnowshoes, but they’re sold out.
“People are outfitting theirwholefamilies, andnot thinking twice about it,” he said.“Peoplearen’tflinching at the price of the product.”
“People want to get outside in the fresh air,” said Jay Rock from Arlberg Ski and Surf Shop in Portland.
“Ifeellikepeoplearenottoo concerned about spending money.”
When shoppers aren’t looking for ways to stay active many are looking to stay comfortable, meaning sales of items like slippers andwarmpajamashavealso skyrocketed.
Hotsellerstendtofallinto several categories — productspromotingahealthylifestyle, working and learning from home, and entertainingfromhome, saidMarshal Cohen, chief retail analyst at the NPD Group.
“The cozy comfort business continues to thrive because we’ve now worn slippers every day” since the pandemic hit, he added.
For outdoor gear, cross-country skiing equipment was up 202% and snowshoes were up 221% from August to October, the latest data available, and are still going strong, according totheSnowsportsIndustries America.
In the comfort segment, slippers are up 70% and the sleepcategoryisaheadoflast year, whennearly$8.5billion worth of pajamas were sold, NPD Group said.
Sleepwear is just about the only area of the clothing sector that’s seeing growth this year, Cohen said. An NPDsurveyonstay-at-home behaviors indicated about half of Americans reported wearing activewear and loungewear and pajamas all day as more people work from home.
The trend is a continuation of what began in the spring and summer.
Peoplearecancelingtravel and staying home because of the pandemic, but they’re also seeking to get outdoors toavoidgoingstircrazy. That made barbecues, outdoor furniture, outdoor heaters, trampolines, canoes and camping gear hot commodities.
Shopper Kara Douglas of Harpswell picked up some cross-country ski boots, snow pants and other outdoor gear for her family.
She said it’s important for everyone, especially her daughters ages 11 and 14, to get outside.
“They’re spending a lot of time doing school remotely.
They’re spending way too much time on screens. For my kids, I just feel like we need to be really, really diligent about keeping them outside and keeping them active,” she said.
Some retailers are struggling to keep items in stock.
At Rodgers Ski & Sport in Scarborough, shoppers looking to get outside are snapping up alpine skis, and they’ve purchased so many cross-country skis that the supply is low, said Bryan Gallant, assistant manager.
Customerswantsnowshoes, but they’re sold out.
“People are outfitting theirwholefamilies, andnot thinking twice about it,” he said.“Peoplearen’tflinching at the price of the product.”
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