Dear evgeny005,
You requested information about camping. Specifically, you would like
information about consumer demand for camping stoves and or camp
cooking accessories, with an emphasis on whether people would be
willing to buy such equipment from an online store. From your
clarification, I will also address your request for statistics on how
the camping market is doing.
First off, online retail sales are booming. The U.S. Census Bureau,
in its March 2002 E-Stats summary, reports that U.S. retail eCommerce
sales reached $29 billion in 2000, up from $15 billion in 1999. The
entire report is available at –
http://www.census.gov/eos/www/papers/estatstext.pdf
Table 6 presents a breakdown of online sales by industry.
Unfortunately, camping equipment is part of the sports equipment
segment, and is only reported in aggregate under “other merchandise.”
Nevertheless, this category accounted for $2.361 billion in 2000, up
from $947m in 1999. Other merchandise sold online represented 11% of
all eCommerce sales, and 13.6% of total sales in the category (on- and
off-line). Tables are available at –
http://www.census.gov/eos/www/papers/estatstables.pdf
To get a feeling of individuals’ propensity to buy camping equipment
online, it is worthwhile to take a look at eBay sales of like
equipment. An eBay search for camping retrieved 2,106 items, many of
which were being bid on. An analysis of one page of completed items
yielded 26 sold products out of 50 listed – more than 50% of products
auctioned were sold. Camping items on eBay can be accessed by
following this link –
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?query=camping&from=R8&ht=1&st=2&SortProperty=MetaEndSort
Given the number of retailers pitching their wares online, there is
bound to be demand for such products, and I would assume that demand
for camping equipment online is not significantly different from
demand for other consumer products. A glance at Yahoo’s list of
retailers in the “outdoors” business will allow you to gain some
perspective on the extent of online competition in this space –
http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Shopping_and_Services/Outdoors/Gear_and_Equipment/Retailers/
Many of the large “on-ground” players (or “bricks ‘n mortar” players)
are online as well, including REI, Sierra Trading Post, Planet
Outdoors and others. In addition, Amazon, Wal-Mart, and other general
merchandisers that dabble in camping gear and have an online presence
also sell such equipment.
Many sources report that the demand for camping is soaring. For
example, Bob Marshall wrote an article titled “KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
DON'T GET LEFT WITHOUT RESERVATIONS” in the Times Picayune on Feb 10,
1999. Marshall writes, “Reservations and fees are becoming the rule
at most of the nation's recreational lands, especially those managed
by the National Park Service. As demand for camping sites has soared,
managers have placed the majority of their campground space on a
reservations-only basis.”
John Weyler, writing in the Los Angeles Times on August 21, 2001
(Article title: Life's a Beach, if You Plan Early; Hoping for an
August campsite? Sly travelers made their reservations seven months
ago), says “…for those of us who love beach camping in the Southland,
the two most important days of the year are Jan. 2 and Feb. 1.” – and
that’s to secure a summer spot!
The best indicator, however, comes from an article by Emily Walzer in
Sporting Goods Business titled “Gear Up” (Aug 6, 2001). Walzer writes
that even though the economy overall is crummy, “camp gear is selling,
with dollar sales up a lively 42.5% during the first quarter of this
year, according to the recent ORCA Outdoor Top-Line Retail Sales
Report.”
Here are some specific numbers by category:
Tent unit sales – up 39%, average retail $218 up from $196
Pack sales – up 33% in volume and 20% in dollars
Accessories – the category of most interest to you – was up 33% during
the first four months of 2001 (same period of relevance for all other
numbers above). Accessories sales totaled $53 million, 21% of total
outdoor sales.
Overall, based on the last ORCA State of the Industry report released
in 2000, rang up retail sales of $17.8 billion in 1999. About.com has
good coverage of this report at the following address –
http://retailindustry.about.com/library/bl/bl_ocra1218.htm
The following page will provide you with access to a variety of retail
industry statistics –
http://retailindustry.about.com/cs/statistics/index.htm
In summary, I would say that the segment you would like to pursue
online definitely has potential from a demand and interest
perspective, and the camping equipment market seems to be booming
lately. I would, however, be cognizant of the competition – and of the
need to outmaneuver them in order to make this a financial success.
I hope this response adequately addresses your request.
Thanks,
ragingacademic
Additional Links:
Outdoor Recreation in America Report 2002 - Participation Trends &
Demographic Data on 35 Outdoor Activities / Sales Trends on Outdoor
Equipment. This report is available from the SGMA for $125 (.pdf
version).
http://www.sgma.com/reports/2002/report1035822178-8784.html
The Outdoor Industry Association sells its State of the Industry
Report as well as other market research related reports.
http://www.outdoorindustry.org/
Excellent article on trail stoves in Backpacker, March 2002 – “100%
Trail-tested: Stoves” by Michelle J. Morris. Lots of good information
on trail stoves. Available online for a fee from –
www.elibrary.com
Michelle also reviewed 19 different camping stoves for Backpacker in
March 1999 in “The Key to Fast Food.” Also available through
elibrary.
Search Strategy:
1) “consumer demand” AND “camping equipment”
2) “demand for camping equipment”
3) “camping stoves” AND “camp cookware” AND demand |
