One of the biggest trends in recent times has been the increased interest in outdoor leisure activities, with more people than ever choosing to connect with nature. Green spaces and waterways around the world are witnessing their highest visitor numbers in years, and savvy retailers are tapping into this.
There are various ways that retailers can take advantage of the outdoor leisure boom, such as selling experiences and offering seasonal promotions.
Interest in Outdoor Activities Growing in Popularity
Even if you haven’t seen the research into the growing number of people flocking to outdoor settings, you may have noticed that the entertainment industry has started to reflect this trend. The online slots market is often a barometer for what’s popular, and fishing is a common theme found in slot game lists. The Big Bass series now spans more than 20 games, and people who want to discover a more recent title in the franchise can play Big Bass Trophy Catch. This game takes them to a waterway, where they can get the feeling that they are out catching fish.
Television trends also reflect this greater interest in nature, with Clarkson’s Farm earning huge ratings for Amazon Prime Video. Other series, such as Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, Countryfile, and Escape to the Country, have all been renewed for numerous seasons, highlighting how much interest they attract.
Selling Experiences Rather Than Items
One of the most noticeable things that retailers are doing to jump on the outdoor trend is to sell the experience behind the item. This taps into the power of storytelling and allows people to visualise what kind of adventures they might have if they make a purchase. For example, rather than just presenting people with a waterproof jacket, you could show them how useful it is for a rainy countryside walk or a camping trip.
Decathlon is a great model to follow in this regard, as it organises its products around the activities you’d use them for. Users can search for camping, cycling, or fishing items. GO Outdoors is another good example, and its product displays tend to show what people can do with the different items on offer. No matter what type of product you sell, you can market its benefits for outdoor use.
Taking Advantage of the Changing Seasons
A much-loved thing about Britain is the changing seasons, and the increased interest in nature means each seasonal shift can act as a promotional window. For instance, when summer ends, items traditionally used during that season can be put on sale.
There are also different nature activities associated with the diverse times of year, meaning that certain months provide better windows of opportunity to sell outdoor items. Retailers can take advantage of this by putting products on flash sales at strategic times.
The outdoor trend isn’t going away, and it’s likely to get bigger in the years ahead. It presents some great opportunities for retailers to take advantage of and market their products as adventurous experiences.
