Park Life
The trend of wanting a walk on the wild side and spending money to find it
Americans are enjoying the great outdoors like never before. According to a National Park Service report earlier this year, 2016 and 2017 both saw record-setting attendance numbers at national parks. The agency estimated a total of 1.5 billion visits over the past 5 years with the top 10 parks garnering between 3 and 11 million recreational visits each in 2017. Overall, visitors spent $18.2 billion at national parks last year, with the majority going towards hotels, restaurants, gas, and retail, supporting a total of $35.8 billion in economic output towards the national economy.
Obviously, when it comes to planning hikes, sleeping under the stars, and preparing meals on a camping stove, it’s vital to have the correct gear and apparel. Sales of backpacks, outerwear, camping-related equipment, as well as adaptable products associated with travel are all on the up, according to global research firm The NPD Group. Outerwear, the largest segment of the “outdoor” category, is looking particularly promising, with sales growing by 3% during the year to the end of April, rising to $3 billion. “Through their spending behavior, consumers are demonstrating how they’re devoting more of their time and share of wallet towards experiences,” said Matt Powell, NPD’s vice president and senior industry advisor, “outdoor brands and retailers must do more to tap into this ongoing travel trend.”
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