Image Credit: Adam Donnelly / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

PANDEMIC RECREATION

Warm-weather interest in outdoor gear arrives early for Kamloops stores

Apr 27, 2021 | 3:58 PM

KAMLOOPS — Bikes, kayaks, hiking gear — you name it, Kamloops retailers are experiencing the sequel to last spring’s surge in outdoor interest.

Consignor Sports owner Ted Desireau says inventory is fast-moving. Bicycles are a hot commodity but there are a few other categories climbing up the list.

“I would say golf, and then in-line skates has exploded like it did 20 years ago.”

Desireau says their spring sales have been up at least 10 to 15 per cent, so the popularity is not unlike 2020. There’s plenty of customers who are new to an activity, along with experienced recreators.

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“It’s interesting from last year when everything broke,” he says. “We have had some people who bought something used but they do want to upgrade to something a little newer because they actually enjoyed getting out there and getting some fitness again.”

Most sports leagues have postponed their seasons, so Desireau says one sales are that has slowed down in any gear used for adult team sports.

“Obviously we’ve missed out on a hockey season. Minor baseball and minor soccer is doing practicing, but it’s the adult recreation sports — we’re not seeing any kind of that stuff.”

The ongoing pandemic paired with warm spring weather has people getting a head start on acquiring the equipment they need to discover or re-discover the outdoor spaces in Kamloops.

True Outdoors manager Harry Gillett says their staff has been answering plenty of new customer inquiries about what equipment is needed for certain activities.

“Kayaks and canoes are really big — lots of people getting out on the water. And then general camping and backpacking stuff — so tents, backpacks, stoves, all that kind of stuff — we’re seeing a lot of interest in that. And a lot of people doing it for the first time — a lot of new campers and new backpackers.”

Image Credit: Adam Donnelly / CFJC Today

Some gear may have shipping delays, but eventually stores will get them in stock. Gillett notes some items are in such high demand, customers buy the gear before it’s even delivered to the store.

“This would be like July or August with full tourism season in swing kind of sales,” he says. “(But it’s) in April, with only locals.”

At times, it’s a bit of a supply-and-demand tightrope walk, but retailers say recreation gear is as popular as it was in the early months of the pandemic.

“The difference is, everyone remembers what last spring was like, and they want to get on it earlier this year,” says Gillett, “So the demand has gone up a lot earlier in the spring.”